Car accidents can be an emotional experience and emotions can cloud your judgment. When you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s important to remain calm and do your best to think clearly.
Seeking guidance from a trusted Knoxville car accident attorney early in the process can also provide peace of mind and ensure your rights are protected as you navigate the aftermath. Here are a few tips for what to do after a car accident.
Here are a few tips for what to do after a car accident.
- Check for injuries. Your first priority after a car accident should always be your health and the health of any passengers in your vehicle. If necessary, call 911 and request medical assistance. Even if your injuries do not require emergency medical treatment, don’t fail to seek out treatment as soon as possible. For more information on seeking treatment after a car accident, see Part 1 and Part 2 of our blog post on the topic.
- Report the accident to authorities. When the police arrive, do your best to calmly discuss accident details with them. Remember, the officer will gather information for a report. Be sure to explain how the accident occurred and if the other driver was at fault, make sure to point out why. Any details that you can provide about the other driver will be important. Make sure to mention if you noticed that they appeared to be distracted by their phone or another device.
- Gather information.While you are waiting on the authorities to arrive, begin to gather details. Take some time to carefully look at your vehicle and others that may have been involved in the accident. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and be sure to capture pictures of the whole scene if possible.
Should You Talk to the Insurance Company After the Accident?
You should never speak to an insurance company without first consulting with an attorney. While insurance adjusters may seem caring and concerned about your well-being, they represent their employer’s interests—not yours. Even casual conversations about your condition or brief comments about the accident can be used against you.
Insurance companies often record these conversations and may use your words against you to reduce or deny your claim. They may pressure you to accept a quick settlement before the full extent of your injuries becomes clear. These early offers typically amount to far less than what you deserve and may leave you unable to cover future medical expenses or lost wages.
Beyond the risk of saying something that could harm your case, speaking with insurance adjusters without legal representation puts you at a significant disadvantage. These professionals handle thousands of claims and know exactly what questions to ask to protect their company’s bottom line.
By attempting to handle communications alone, you risk missing out on damages you might not even realize you are entitled to receive. Protecting your rights begins with hiring an attorney to protect your interests and handle communications with insurers on your behalf.
What If You Don’t Feel Injured? Should You Still Go to the Doctor?
You should always go to the doctor after a car accident, even if you do not feel hurt. Many accident injuries aren’t immediately apparent due to adrenaline and shock masking pain and symptoms. Serious conditions like whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries often develop hours or even days after the impact.
Without prompt medical attention, these injuries can worsen significantly and create long-term health problems. Delaying medical care also creates gaps in documentation that insurance companies exploit to argue your injuries were not caused by the accident. A thorough medical examination establishes a clear link between the crash and your injuries.
A proper medical evaluation can identify potential problems before they become severe and ensure you receive appropriate treatment from the start, but beyond that, these records tell the story of how the accident affected your health and daily life.
They create an official timeline of your injuries and treatment, making it harder for insurance companies to dispute your claim. With this evidence, you can significantly strengthen your position when seeking compensation for lost wages, medical treatment, and other damages.
If you are involved in a car accident, go to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Save all of your records and documents from this initial visit. Continue to receive follow-up care as ordered by your doctor and always report any new symptoms that develop in the days and weeks following the crash.
Do You Need a Car Wreck Lawyer?
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident while dealing with physical recovery can feel overwhelming. This challenging time can feel scary, isolating, and uncertain—and when you have insurance companies hounding you into accepting an early settlement, the offer can seem very tempting. However, it is essential to work with an attorney who will defend your rights every step of the way.
You deserve someone in your corner who has gone through this process before and can anticipate the tactics insurance companies use to minimize settlements. A lawyer can help gather evidence, work with medical providers to document your injuries properly, and calculate the full extent of your damages—including future medical expenses and lost earning potential that you might not have considered.
An experienced car wreck lawyer can walk you through the process and help protect your interests along the way. For more information on all the ways that a car wreck lawyer can help you, check out our blog post on the topic. In a car accident case, a lawyer would normally only get paid a percentage of your settlement. You should not have to pay anything to a lawyer up front.
Call Us for a Free Consultation
With more than 75 years of combined experience and more than $45 million recovered for our clients, The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto are serious lawyers who know how to win. Our office is conveniently located in West Knoxville, with plenty of free parking. We’re happy to meet with you free of charge to discuss your case and answer any questions that you may have. Give us a call at (865) 691-2777 or contact us through our website Brown & Roberto, PLLC to set up a free consultation.
For more information on car accidents, visit our car accident blog.
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