There are a few steps that are very important in order keep yourself out of a compromised situation. The first thing you should always do, if you're able to, is to call the police. You should never assume that the other party or parties will call the police first. This is an important step toward making sure everything is clearly documented.

Second, try to get as much documentation as possible. Talk to the other driver to find out what their side of the story is, speak with witnesses to see what they saw, and take pictures of everything you can: license plates, vehicle conditions, injuries, the car accident scene, etc.

Third, when police and emergency vehicles arrive, you should be honest about how you think the accident happened (even if it's just that you don't know) and about your injuries. Never diminish the severity of your injuries, and if you don't feel injured after you leave the scene, it's always still a good idea to see a doctor ASAP, because adrenaline often masks injuries until a later point in time. In addition, if the emergency responders recommend that you should go to the hospital immediately, don't refuse. They are able to recognize that your injuries are severe enough to need immediate attention.

Finally, do some research to find out whether or not you need an attorney. If you're reading this, you're on the right track. We're a knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with car accident cases, but there are other good law firms out there like ours, who also want to help you find answers to your questions. If you don't find what you need on the web, give us or another experienced law firm a call.