The FIRST 72 hours after an automobile accident.
In the first 72 hours after a car accident, focus on documenting the scene and your injuries, getting prompt medical attention, and avoiding any detailed discussion of the accident with insurers or other parties until you’ve spoken with an attorney. This helps preserve evidence and protects your ability to pursue a claim later.
You were involved in an automobile accident. You were injured. Here is a guide on what to do in the first 72 hours to help maximize your chance at recovery in a claim against the opposing party and insurance.
The first 72 hours are considered crucial to your case. Spend them wisely.
Record
Its important to promptly make note of what took place as soon as you have a chance to make sure you don’t make a mistake in the future. If your injury is so severe that you are unable to do so, you may want to have someone else assist you with this.
Here are some important things that you want to record:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Traffic, weather, and road conditions
- What direction you were traveling in and your approximate speed.
- Always try to get a police report. Be sure to get the officers name, badge number, and precinct.
- If there are any witnesses or other parties involved be sure to get all relevant information including
name, address, and contact information. - Get the license plate numbers, registration information, and insurance information of all involved
parties. - A detailed written record of your recollection of how the accident occurred.
Medical Help
The primary concern in an accident is your health and recovery from any injuries. To preserve your claim, get medical attention as soon as possible. Be sure to get copies of all medical documentation, test results, doctors’ notes, X-rays, MRI, and CAT scans. These documents are very important to your claim.
DON’T TALK TO ANYONE
Oftentimes the opposing party, insurance, adjuster, family member, or someone else will ask you about your accident. Under any circumstances do not discuss your accident with anyone until you have sought legal representation. Do not give a recorded statement or otherwise talk about the accident. Regardless of what you are told, anything you say can and will be used against you down the line. Allow your personal injury attorney to handle all communication with the opposing party, insurance, and any other interested parties.Let us do what we do best!
Contact LA Law Group, APLC. From your first call you will find that we are eager to go out of our way and help make sure that all your legal concerns are thoroughly addressed, allowing you to focus on getting the medical attention you need. We know how the insurance companies process these claims, and use a strategical approach to product the optimal results for our clients.
Call us today at (866) 625.2529 to schedule a FREE comprehensive consultation.
Frequently asked
What information should I collect at the accident scene?
Try to record the date, time, location, weather and road conditions, your direction and speed, and the police report details along with the officer's name and badge number. Also gather contact, insurance, and license plate information for all parties and witnesses involved.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company right away?
It's generally best to avoid giving any recorded statements or detailed discussions with an insurance adjuster or opposing party until you've consulted a personal injury attorney. Statements made early on can potentially be used against you later in your claim.
Why is getting medical treatment quickly so important after an accident?
Prompt medical care helps address your injuries and creates documented records, such as doctor's notes and imaging results, that can support your claim. Delayed treatment may make it harder to connect your injuries to the accident.
Attorney Advertising. This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.