A car accident can be a life-altering event, that can result in serious and catastrophic injuries, financial debt from medical bills, property damage and lost income. When you have been injured from a car accident in Yorktown, Newport News, Hampton, Gloucester, Williamsburg, and surrounding areas of the Peninsula and Hampton Roads, you need an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you recover your losses.
If you've been in a car wreck, here are some steps to take to ensure that you protect yourself medically, legally, and financially.
First, call for emergency services and be careful to take care of yourself. Often, a traumatic incident may cause shock to your system, and when you are in shock, you may not realize that you have been injured. Be careful how you move and try to do a self assessment to determine whether and to what degree you were injured. Seek medical attention if needed. Some common collision injuries, such as whiplash, may take days to present or cause symptoms.
Second, you must stay at the scene of any car crash in Virginia. Leaving the scene could constitute a crime of hit-and-run. If you can move your vehicle, pullover as close to the scene of the crash as possible and wait for emergency services in a safe location with your emergency lights on.
Third, exchange information with the other driver, including:
o Name of the other driver;
o Phone number and address;
o Driver’s license number;
o Vehicle specifications; and
o Insurance Information – Company and Policy Number.
Do not admit fault. Never admit fault to anyone including the other party or the police but tell the truth about what occurred.
Fourth, ask for a copy of any accident report, and if there are witnesses present that saw the accident, get their names and phone numbers.
Fifth, take photos of everything – your car, the other car, the location of the accident, and other property damage.
Finally, seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney. An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal system to ensure that you obtain the compensation you deserve.
If you were injured as a result of the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call us at 757-568-9633 for a free consultation to discuss your claim.
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