Car accidents are sudden and terrifying. Most people are badly shaken, physically and mentally. In an instant, you must go from fearing for your life to making critical decisions that could affect you financially for months and years to follow.

What You Need To Know And Do Immediately Following A Car Accident

These are the things you need to know about the moments following a car accident to protect yourself and your passengers:

Make sure everyone is safe — Always make sure that everyone involved in the accident is safe. If anyone needs medical attention, no matter how minor, call for medical help as quickly as possible. Keep everyone involved calm, even if they are obviously hurt.

Never make a comment about whether you’ve been injured — If others ask if you are injured, simply say that you need to see a doctor before you can be sure. Even if you don’t believe that you’ve been injured, never admit to being unhurt. Seek a full examination from a doctor before you tell witnesses, police, other drivers or the insurance company that you are fine. Some soft tissue injuries mask themselves, and a statement saying that you were uninjured can hurt your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

Never admit fault — Even if you are unsure of exactly what happened — or if you played a role in the accident — never admit that it was your fault. Simply state that you wish to get a second opinion on the situation first. Remain polite, but neutral on the topic.

Exchange information with the other driver — Make sure that you get complete contact and insurance information from the other driver.

Take pictures and get information from witnesses — Use your phone or other device to take pictures of the scene from all angles. Take pictures of injuries. Get contact information from any witnesses who were on the scene.

Let your insurance company know that you were involved in a car accident — You need to report the accident as soon as possible to your insurance company. Be careful, however, when you give an official statement, even to your own insurance company. Make sure you know all of the facts, as well as your medical state, before you make a definitive statement.

Contact a skilled car accident attorney — It is critical that you know your rights. An experienced lawyer knows how to handle these accidents and can guide you through the claims process to ensure that you are paid the full amount of compensation you are owed.

For more information, call Maduforo & Osimiri Law Office PLLC to discuss your accident and learn about your rights.