Being in a car accident is a horrible situation, and it’s made even worse if you were injured because of another driver’s negligence on the road. You will likely have to deal with hefty medical expenses from emergency room visits and physician checkups, and you may even lose valuable wages because you can no longer work the same hours. A car accident may be an unfortunate event, but it should never detrimentally change your life or pin you under immense debt that you can’t crawl out from under. Here are three things to do if you’re injured in a car accident and the possible cases you can bring up to obtain compensation to cover your expenses.

Collecting Evidence at the Scene 

Immediately following the car accident:

  • Call the police, or if you are seriously injured, have someone else do so. Even if your injuries are not serious, you should still contact the police to get an official police report. Without one, you may not be able to file a claim later on.
  • Exchange information with the other driver, like insurance information, names and how to contact one another. If they were responsible for the crash, you will want to be compensated by their insurance for damages.
  • Take photos of the accident and all damage and record notes of the accident as soon as possible so that the memory of it is still fresh in your mind.
  • Seek medical attention quickly, at least within 72 hours, so that you have proof that your injuries were caused by the crash.

Creating a Personal Injury Claim 

If you’ve been in a crash, you can get compensated for your medical costs and lost wages through insurance. If you live in a no-fault state, you can only file a claim with your own insurance even if you were not responsible for causing the accident. In other states, you may be able to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance, but to do so you must prove that they were the negligent party on the road and that the accident created the injuries you are filing compensation for. Keep an excellent record of your expenses, as you’ll need them as evidence to provide the insurance company later, and don’t settle too quickly and prematurely, as other injuries could arise later.

Contacting a Lawyer 

Consider contacting an auto accident lawyer to discuss your case if you’re unclear on whether you can file a claim. They can help you understand your situation in lawful terms and determine how the negligence laws in your state impact your case.

Don’t let an accident create a downward spiral in your life. Seek help and start fighting for your deserved compensation as soon as you’re able.