What Should I Do Right After a Car Accident?

If you are involved in a Huntsville car accident, you may be anxious and overwhelmed. This is normal, as you just experienced something traumatic.

While you may need some time to recover – mentally, physically, and emotionally – from the car accident, you should still take certain steps to ensure that you get the medical treatment you need, that your legal rights are protected, and that you have the best possible chance of getting compensation to cover your accident-related expenses. To help you with this process, we created a general outline of the steps to take right after a car accident: within the first 24 hours, the first week, and the first couple of months.

What to do within the first 24 hours of a crash

(This is most likely not applicable to crashes involving catastrophic injuries or death.)

• Dial 9-1-1 and report the accident: Immediately after the crash, call 9-1-1 to report the accident. Alabama law requires all car accidents to be reported, especially if there are injuries or fatalities. Even if you only have minor aches, reporting the accident is crucial as these minor pains can develop into serious conditions later. If you are injured, go directly to the hospital.
• Answer the officer’s questions: When the officer arrives at the scene of the accident, answer their questions honestly. They will create a police report, which includes an analysis of the accident scene and details from both drivers. Be honest and factual, but do not speculate about what happened when speaking with the officers.
• Take photos and videos of the cars and accident scene: If possible, take photos and videos of the vehicles, accident scene, street signs, road defects, nearby businesses, and your injuries. This visual evidence can help you recall details later and support your case.
• Exchange information with the other driver: Even though it might be awkward or tense speaking with the other driver after the accident, you must exchange certain information with them. Ask for their full name, phone number, home address, insurance company, insurance policy, driver’s license number, license plate number, and vehicle registration number.
• Exchange contact information with witnesses: If there are witnesses, obtain their contact information. Witnesses can be bystanders, pedestrians, business owners, or anyone who saw the accident.
• Schedule a doctor’s appointment: Even if you opted not to take the ambulance ride, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. You can go to the Emergency Room, a walk-in facility, or your regular doctor: just make sure you go. The doctor will document your symptoms, review your family history, and order tests to rule out potential injuries that may be hidden, such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, internal bleeding, or organ damage. This will protect your own health and well-being, while also providing proof that you were injured and sought medical care after the accident.
• Begin writing in a journal about what happened: As soon as you can, start writing in a journal about the accident. Document the time, date, weather conditions, street name, where you were going, and any road defects. Recording these details while your memory is fresh can be valuable for your case.

What to do within the first week of a car accident

The next few steps that you should take within the first week include:

• Notify your insurance company about the accident: Within the first few days after the accident, notify your insurance company about the accident. This can be a short and brief phone call letting them know that you were involved in a car crash, who else was involved, and where it took place. If they have further questions, explain to them that your attorney will handle further communication to avoid saying anything that could be used against you.
• Hire a Huntsville car accident lawyer: Any time that you are in a car accident and have suffered bodily injuries, you should hire a car accident lawyer. While you may know that you were not at fault, the defendant’s insurance company or legal team will do everything they can to try to blame you for the accident. Therefore, you need an experienced Huntsville car accident attorney by your side, advocating for your rights and the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
• Request a copy of the police report: Within a few days, you can request a copy of your police report. You can either order this report online or in person at the Huntsville Police Department Records Division. You will need to present a valid ID as well as provide your accident number and the date and location of your accident. The police report costs $10 and takes about three days to process. Your lawyer can also obtain this report for you.
• Continue to go to your doctor’s appointments: After your initial visit to the hospital or doctor’s office, the doctor will most likely refer you to other specialists to ensure that you get the care that you need. This may be a physical therapist, surgeon, a cardiologist, or any other type of specialist who can focus on your condition. By attending these appointments, it shows that you are doing everything possible to heal and recover from your injuries caused by the collision.

What to do within the first couple months after a wreck

• Continue communicating and working with your attorney: Although your attorney is committed to handling all the legal aspects of your case, you must continue to communicate and work with them. This means responding to their phone calls, emails, or text messages regarding your case. If they are unable to get an answer from you, it could delay the entire legal process.
• Gather all evidence and documents related to your accident: Your lawyer will likely ask you to gather all evidence and documents that you have access to related to your accident. This may be the police report, photos, videos, surveillance footage, journal entries, medical records, prescriptions, auto mechanic reports, and more. Of course, your lawyer will be ordering medical records and gathering evidence as the case progresses.
• Keep all information regarding your wreck in a safe and accessible place: Ensure all information and documents regarding your accident are stored securely and are easily accessible for your lawyer. This information is critical for your case, and any lost or missing documents could affect the outcome.
• Continue writing in your journal about any hardships or challenges you face: Keep documenting any hardships or challenges resulting from the accident. Write about emotional and physical difficulties, such as depression, anxiety, inability to participate in activities, work limitations, and impacts on your family life. These entries can provide a detailed look into how the accident has negatively affected your life.

Did you recently suffer injuries in a crash? If so, the Huntsville car accident lawyers at Martin & Helms are ready and available to assist you. Our team will guide you through the entire legal process from start to finish and ensure that you never miss an important step or deadline. We are based in Huntsville and Decatur but proudly serve clients in Madison, Athens, and throughout North Alabama. Please call our office or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we may help you today.