When you’re involved in an accident, you may feel unsettled and confused. While this is an emotional experience, it’s especially important to try to remain calm and think rationally. How you react will determine whether or not you’ll be able to receive adequate compensation for the injuries and property damages you suffered. Many people unknowingly hurt their cases by overreacting or failing to do certain things to protect themselves.

The first thing you should do is document the accident. This means collecting the names, contact information, and insurance information for anyone else involved in the accident. You should also try to collect information from any witnesses at the scene. If you have your phone with you, take photos of any property damage that was caused by the accident.

Your next major duty is to seek a medical evaluation. This should be done as soon as possible to avoid any implication that you attempted to maximize your claim by delaying treatment. That might result in your claim being dismissed. Additionally, a medical evaluation can uncover internal injuries that may not be causing noticeable symptoms. A traumatic brain injury, spine injury, or neck damage can take days or weeks to develop, but a doctor can identify these problems earlier.

As soon as you’re able, you should contact a personal injury attorney. If you’re unsure how to begin, you can click here to begin your search. Consulting an attorney is important, because it won’t be long before the insurance company contacts you. If you don’t have an attorney, they may try to pressure you into taking a low offer that won’t be sufficient to cover your medical bills or your property damages.

Hiring an attorney will help you keep your case moving forward. If the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate for a fairer settlement, it may be necessary to go to court. Since you have already hired a personal injury lawyer, you’ll be prepared to move forward with this aspect of your case. A lawsuit can take a considerable amount of time, but having a lawyer familiar with your case can reduce some of that time and may help you receive a settlement that much sooner.