Car accidents can be devastating. You should feel safe on North Carolina roads, but the unfortunate reality is that accidents happen. Whether it’s from other reckless drivers, mistakes, or pure negligence, the moments after your car accident are critical to protect your finances and preserve your North Carolina personal injury case.
We want to make sure you’re equipped with the necessary knowledge BEFORE you’re ever involved in an accident. This article is designed to inform you about what to do immediately after an accident. We take a compassionate approach which includes staying safe while remaining informed in case the worst happens.
Tend to Any Injuries First and Foremost
Your health and the health of those involved in the accident are always priority number one. Finances can be sorted through later, but first, you must make sure you check yourself for any injuries and, if you’re able to, help anyone else who may be injured in the accident.
Your North Carolina personal injury attorney will help you if you’re unable to gather information or take any of the additional steps below. Seek medical attention if you need it, especially because the injuries you suffer at the scene need to be documented properly by medical professionals in order to enter them into the record of your personal injury case.
Gather Only the NECESSARY Information
This part is critical. Too many people get out of their vehicle and start arguing with the other driver(s) involved. You want to debate fault. You want to point out that they were texting or ran a red light or were speeding. The truth is: this doesn’t help you in any way. Talking about fault at the scene only exposes you to potential liability should you say the wrong thing. Leave debating fault up to your Charlotte personal injury attorney.
Instead, focus on the necessary information before leaving the scene. This includes:
- Identifying information for other drivers and passengers (names, addresses, IDs)
- Vehicle information (license plate, VIN number)
- Insurance documentation (policy numbers, insurance agent, etc.)
- Photos and videos of any damage and road or weather conditions that contributed
- Police report numbers, police badges, and officer names
- Witness contact information
Thankfully, we’ve put together a handy guide that makes this all easier for you. Download our free resource to print and keep in your car to keep track of all the right information after a car accident.
Contact a North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney
The last step in the process after you’ve tended to your injuries and gathered the necessary information is to reach out to an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney. The legal counsel you receive allows you to focus on recovering from your injuries and any trauma associated with the accident while your attorney focuses on financial recovery.
At Meridian Law Office, we lead our personal injury services with compassion and aren’t afraid to go after insurance companies who refuse to properly compensate those who are owed under the coverages available. Contact our team when you’re involved in a Charlotte-area car accident and we’ll tackle your personal injury case together.
Meridian Law Office
