What To Do After a Car Accident in Pikeville, Kentucky

The steps you take immediately after a Pikeville car accident has happened can help you should you need to file a personal injury case. Many people do not realize that they are injured immediately after a car accident as the adrenaline from the accident disguises pain. Unfortunately, once you have left the accident scene, it can be hard to obtain information. Here are a few things that can be done after an accident to help an experienced car accident lawyer in Pikeville litigate a potential injury case.

Take Pictures or Film the Car Accident Scene

One of the first things that you should do following a car accident is to take out your cell phone and take pictures of the car accident scene or take a video. Ideally, this should be done before your cars are moved. Be sure to take photos that show the position of both vehicles, as well as any damage sustained. Also, take photos of the accident scene as a whole, including the lighting, the weather, and any conditions that may have played a role in the accident, such as visibility, poor road conditions or traffic lights, or stop signs that may have been run.

Exchange Information With the Other Driver

After you have photographed or filmed the accident scene, move both vehicles out of the roadway if possible. From there, you will want to exchange information with the other driver. Be sure to write down their license plate number, the make and model of their vehicle, their insurance information, and their driver’s license information. If you are shaky from the accident, consider taking a picture of insurance cards and driver’s licenses on your phone. Immediately email it to yourself or text it to a trusted person to ensure you have a copy in case you accidentally delete the photos.

Obtain Witness Information

While you are at the accident scene, there is a good chance that other drivers will pull over to help and ensure everyone is o.k. When those individuals pull over, ask them if they witnessed the accident. You should obtain contact information for anyone who witnessed the accident. If possible, get a photo of their driver’s license. If they are not comfortable providing that to you, simply get as much information from them as they will provide, such as their name and phone number. Having witnesses can be invaluable if you and the other driver have different stories as to how the accident happened and who may be at fault.

Call the Police to Make an Accident Report

Another thing you may wish to do following a car accident is to make a police report. In some jurisdictions, police will only respond to a car accident scene if there are injuries or if there are problems, such as another driver not providing their name and insurance information. In other jurisdictions, police will respond to any accident scene. Having a police report never hurts, if you are able to get one.

Make a List of Any Cameras You See

Before you leave the scene of an accident, you should take a second to look around for cameras. You may notice cameras on red lights, on nearby houses, or outside of businesses. If you wind up having injuries, an attorney may be able to subpoena accident footage to show how the accident occurred and who was at fault. Having a list of addresses or business names where cameras were present can make it easier for an attorney to subpoena this footage.

Write Out a Detailed Version of What You Remember Happening

Once you have gotten home following an accident, you should take out a piece of paper and start writing down what you remember happening. Your recollection can fade as time passes after an accident. Being able to write everything down as quickly as possible can help you to remember key details that may be vital to showing what happened and who was at fault for an accident.

Document Any Injuries You Sustained

It can take hours or days for someone to realize they were injured in an automobile accident. After an accident, you should start to document any injuries you sustained in case they turn out to be more than minor bruises or aches and pains. This includes photographing bruises, cuts, and scrapes, writing down the progression of your injuries, and seeking out medical treatment as soon as you realize that your injuries are not minor injuries.

Consult With a Car Accident Lawyer

Once you realize that you have sustained injuries in an automobile accident, you should consult with a car accident lawyer or a personal injury lawyer. The earlier you talk to an attorney, the better. They have a higher chance of collecting evidence if they are brought on early in the case.

The average person does not have an attorney on speed dial. As such, they need to be proactive if they are involved in an automobile accident, whether they realize that they are injured or not. It is common for someone to not realize that they are injured until hours or days after the accident. Here at Johnson Law Firm, we are an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you recoup and recover money following an automobile accident that has left you injured. Reach out to us now to learn more about us or schedule a consultation.

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