6 Steps After a Milwaukee Car Crash
Car accidents can be overwhelming, and many people end up finding out too late that they have made mistakes in the first moments of an accident that jeopardized their right to recover financial compensation for their losses. By following the six steps below, you can protect yourself and have control over your claim:
1. Check for Injuries & Contact First Responders
The first step to take after an accident is to check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If you are able, also check the passengers in the other vehicle. If anyone has life-threatening injuries, call 9-1-1 immediately. If there are no life-threatening injuries but someone is hurt, even if the injuries seem minor, call your local non-emergency police. For Milwaukee, this non-emergency number can be found on the Milwaukee Police Department website.
2. Get Medical Attention
If you were injured, be sure to get checked out by the EMTs that arrive on the scene. Then, if your injuries are serious enough to need an ER, you can get the treatment you need. Remember, not all car accident injuries show up immediately, so if you begin to have unexplained abdominal pain, headaches or dizziness, serious back or neck pain, or other concerning symptoms in the days following your accident, be sure to see a doctor or get emergency treatment as needed. Failing to do so could hurt your claim in the future and could be dangerous to your health.
3. Document the Scene
Getting evidence at the scene of the crash can be complicated, especially when there is so much going through your head at this time. However, safely collecting documentation can be important for securing the details that will make up your eventual injury claim. For example, take pictures of the damage to both vehicles and any visible injuries you have, collect contact information from the other driver and any witnesses, and make sure to file a police report.
4. Inform Your Insurance Company
As soon as you can, let your insurance company know about your accident. Never place or take the blame for an accident at any step in the process before speaking with an attorney. When informing your insurance provider of the accident, state the plain facts of the case and do not agree to or sign anything without an attorney’s advice.
5. Call a Lawyer for Representation
After informing your insurance company of the accident, contact a Milwaukee car accident attorney from Phillip S. Georges, PLLC, for a free evaluation of your situation. During this evaluation, your attorney will help you understand what options you have and, if you are eligible, they will help you file a claim to recover the damages you need WITHOUT being tricked into a smaller payout by the insurance adjuster.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is difficult, but following these steps will make it easier for you and your car accident lawyer to navigate through the claims process.
Get Your FREE Case Review