After a car crash, you are likely upset, confused, and unsure of what to do next, but there are some important steps to take that can help you stay physically safe and also financially secure, especially if someone else was responsible for the crash. At Wofsey Rosen, we believe in educating our Connecticut community members about how to safeguard their rights and protect their interests in insurance claims and potential lawsuits after a car crash.
1. Check Everyone for Injuries and Call 911
Conduct a quick check of yourself and your passengers for the following:
- Is everybody awake and responsive?
- Is everyone breathing?
- Are there any obvious injuries, such as bleeding, cuts, punctures, or broken bones?
Call 911 immediately for police and medical first responders. Officers can direct traffic away from the crash scene to avoid further injuries and investigate what happened. Paramedics can evaluate everyone and provide medical care. Even if you think you are fine, allow medical professionals to evaluate you in case your adrenaline rush is masking any serious medical conditions.
2. Exchange Contact and Insurance Information With the Other Driver(s)
Write down or take a photo of the other driver’s license and insurance card. The police officers will include everyone’s information in their accident report, which you or your attorney can request. Do not say anyone is at fault; just stick to the facts and stay friendly, even if the other driver is belligerent or upset.
3. Try to Collect Your Own Evidence at the Scene
Assuming it is safe to do so and you are not seriously injured, you should take photos of the following, if possible:
- Your injuries
- Damage to all vehicles
- Skid marks
- Debris or wreckage on the road
- Road signs and markings
- Traffic cameras in the area
Ask any witnesses for their contact details so your lawyer can interview them later. You should also write down or make an audio/visual recording describing what you remember from before, during, and just after the crash. You may forget important details afterward, and you can always add to your recollection after you have had a chance to think more clearly.
4. See Your Doctor for a Follow-Up Evaluation
Schedule a full evaluation with your physician as soon as you can in case you have conditions like spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries, or whiplash. If you experience any weakness, fainting, confusion, nausea, or sudden pain, get to the ER immediately.
Seeing your doctor not only protects your health but also establishes an important connection between the crash and your injuries. If someone else is at fault for the crash, you will need this link to seek compensation from the responsible party’s insurance policy or through a personal injury lawsuit. Without a causal connection, insurance adjusters may claim you were hurt in some way other than in the crash.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company and give them the basics of the crash, such as where and how it happened, who was involved, and the other driver’s insurance information. By telling your insurer about the wreck, you give yourself more credibility if the other driver claims you were at fault.
Connecticut is an at-fault state, meaning any driver who is responsible for a crash must pay for the damages he or she causes. All drivers in Connecticut must carry two kinds of auto insurance: liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Minimum liability requirements for both types of coverages are $25,000/$50,000 (per person/per accident), although significantly more insurance coverage is also available.
While the insurance company may ask you to provide a recorded statement about the crash, speak with a lawyer first. By letting your attorney handle these conversations for you, you can focus on recovering from your injuries instead.
File Your Claim Quickly
Insurance companies have different deadlines for when you must file your claim, and if you wait too long, certain information might get lost. While there isn’t a state-mandated deadline for filing your insurance claim, there is a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. You only have two years from the crash to do so, or you could lose your right to compensation.
5. Call a Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer
Insurance policies and the law can be confusing and overwhelming when you are trying to get better, so your final step to take after a crash should be calling a top-notch Connecticut personal lawyer at Wofsey Rosen. We investigate your claim and fight hard for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.