Required

What to Do after a Cleveland Car Accident

In the immediate aftermath of a traffic collision, you may be overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed with your life. Your priority should be to ensure your own safety, as well as the safety of your passengers and anyone else involved in the crash.

Knowing what to do after a Cleveland car accident can also help protect your legal rights and financial well-being. An experienced attorney could advise you on the steps to take in pursuing compensation from the at-fault parties.

Staying Safe after a Vehicular Collision

After a crash, it is important to check for one’s own injuries and to assess other passengers in the vehicle. If it is safe to exit the vehicle, and if all parties are physically able, move to a safe location such as the sidewalk. Getting out of the lane of travel is a good idea to avoid being struck by another vehicle.

One danger after a major impact collision is for disoriented drivers and passengers to wander after suffering severe head injuries. In these scenarios, the safest move may be to remain in the vehicle. However, if the vehicle is on fire, all parties must exit as quickly and safely as possible.

Calling Emergency Personnel for Car Crashes

Once they have reached safety, parties involved in a car crash should call 911 to report the accident and request medical attention. It is often difficult for someone involved in such a traumatic event to accurately assess their own health. Accepting the assistance of emergency medical personnel will ensure that they have an objective view of their injuries in the moments immediately following an accident.

Once the police arrive, those involved in the crash should communicate with the responding officer about their recollection of events. It is crucial not to apologize or make any admissions of fault. If a driver is worried that they may be at fault, it may be a good time to contact a Cleveland attorney who could advise them on what steps to take after the car crash.

Collecting Evidence after a Cleveland Traffic Accident

Before leaving the scene, a person should attempt to collect evidence if they are able to do so safely. This could include:

  • Taking pictures or video with their phone
  • Getting the other driver’s address and phone number
  • Exchanging insurance policy information with the other driver

A dedicated local attorney could also assist with gathering evidence after a vehicular crash. These details could be key in building a case for compensation.

How an Attorney Can Help after a Car Wreck

Making a phone call to an experienced attorney for a consultation is an excellent next step to see what options may be available in terms of recovery. A lawyer skilled at handling Cleveland car crashes could advise on what to do after the accident and help evaluate who is at fault.

Legal counsel could assess the facts of the case and advise on pursuing compensation through an insurance settlement or civil lawsuit. Ensuring that the case gets a full and fair evaluation from independent sources will go a long way in maximizing recovery for an injured victim.

Call a Cleveland Attorney after a Car Crash to Discuss Next Steps

If you or a loved one were recently involved in a traffic collision, reach out to an attorney to learn the best next steps in recovering the compensation you need. At Yates & Wheland, our legal team could explain what to do after a Cleveland car accident and help you through the recovery process. Call our firm today to get started.

Get Help From Our Experienced Attorneys