What Should I Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident?

What To Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident in Ohio?

Motor vehicle accidents can happen to anyone. After an accident, it is usually very chaotic, and you will probably be frightened, but it is important to be prepared and know the steps to take.

For help obtaining compensation after a motor vehicle accident, call the Ohio car accident attorneys at Kisling, Nestico & Redick. Call 1-800-HURT-NOW today for a free consultation.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Ohio

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be scary and overwhelming, so knowing what steps to take after an accident is important. Following these steps will help you seek compensation for your losses later.

Call 911 & Get a Police Report

Always report the accident to law enforcement, even if it seems minor. A police report provides an official record of the crash and includes key details such as:

• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Driver and witness information
• Statements from involved parties
• Citations issued
• Preliminary fault assessment
• Photos of the scene

Seek Medical Treatment after a Car Accident.

Even if you don’t feel injured, visit a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away. Medical records serve as critical evidence to support your claim and prove your injuries were caused by the accident.

Exchange Contact & Insurance Information

Gather important details from all involved parties, including:

• Full names, phone numbers, and addresses
• Driver’s license numbers
• License plate numbers
• Insurance company names and policy numbers
• Make, model, and color of vehicles involved

Document the Situation.

If possible, you should also document information about your accident by taking photos of the scene, damage to your and other vehicles, and your injuries.

Use your phone or ask someone to take photos and videos of:

• Vehicle damage and positioning
• Road conditions and traffic signs
• Visible injuries
• Skid marks, debris, or other crash-related evidence
• Weather conditions at the time of the accident

Never Admit Fault.

Even if you feel you may have been partially at fault in the accident, you should avoid apologizing or admitting fault because such statements could adversely impact your claim. Even saying “I’m sorry” can be used against you by insurance companies. Stick to facts when speaking to the police or the other driver.

Notify Your Insurance Company.

You will also need to notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. You are under no obligation to immediately speak with the insurance company of other people involved.

Anything you say could be used to devalue your claim. Talk to your insurance company and seek the advice of a lawyer before making any official statements.

Contact an Ohio Car Accident Attorney ASAP.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident, you should consult with an experienced car accident attorney to ensure your rights are protected. The sooner you contact an attorney, the quicker they can begin an investigation and gather evidence, which may be unavailable if you wait too long.

Contact KNR Today for a free car accident case evaluation.

Who Should You Talk to After an Ohio Car Accident?

To answer this question in the wake of a car crash, we’ve compiled a list of the parties that you should and should not speak to following a crash.

Parties To Talk to After a Car Crash

Many parties can help you after a car accident. These parties include:

• Your Doctor – Even if you believe your injuries are minor or non-existent, you should speak to a doctor right away. They can inform you of any injuries you may have sustained and prescribe an appropriate treatment plan if necessary. Additionally, a doctor can provide you with medical documentation you can use later as evidence in your case.
• Witnesses – If anyone has witnessed your accident, it is essential to reach out to them and collect their account of what happened. Just like medical documentation, witnesses can serve as evidence to support your case.
• The Police Officer – When a police officer at the accident scene asks you basic questions about yourself and the crash, answer them. However, refrain from apologizing or admitting fault since doing so can hurt your case and put you in a difficult situation if you are not liable for the crash.
• The Other Driver – You should speak to the other driver but only to exchange contact and insurance information and to ask if they are okay. It is vital to remember to abstain from apologizing or explaining why you believe the accident occurred as this can damage your case.
• Your Attorney – Perhaps the most important conversation you’ll have after an accident is with a car accident lawyer. A lawyer can thoroughly investigate your case and ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal process.

Parties To Avoid Talking To After a Car Crash

• The Other Driver’s Insurer – The other driver’s insurance company is the party you should never speak to after an accident. Just like other businesses, insurance companies want to make money. Therefore, if the other driver caused the car accident and left you injured, their insurer’s goal will be to settle for a small amount. To reduce your risk of being taken advantage of by the other driver’s insurance company, you should refrain from speaking to them and consult a car accident lawyer to negotiate with them on your behalf.
• People On Social Media – Speaking to your friends and family about your car accident on social media can be tempting. Even if you think your Facebook post, Tweet, or tweet is innocent, the other driver’s insurer may use your content against you. For this reason, it is essential to avoid discussing your crash on any social media outlet.
• Friends and Co-Workers – It is possible that the liable party’s insurance company may contact your friends or co-workers to discover information that can diminish the value of your claim. Since your friends and co-workers may say something incorrect about the events of your accident or your recovery, you should keep your accident private until your case has been settled.

Your Rights & Responsibilities After a Car Accident

Understanding your rights and what’s required to succeed in a car accident case can relieve some stress and allow you to focus on your recovery.

Documenting the Scene of Your Auto Accident

You are responsible for showing that the other driver caused the accident. You can do this by thoroughly documenting the accident scene. Use your phone to take pictures of all the vehicles involved, road conditions, and injuries.

Also, you should ask any witnesses for their contact information as well as their account of what happened. Witnesses can help support your case and prove the other driver’s liability.

Obtaining a Police Report of the Crash

Contrary to popular belief, you should always file a police report. A police report can serve as evidence and include valuable information regarding your accident. It will likely contain:

• The date, time, and location of the accident
• The contact information of all the parties involved, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance details
• Witness information
• Area of the vehicle damage
• Weather and lighting conditions
• Statements from involved parties and witnesses
• Citations
• A diagram of the accident

Seek Medical Care & Follow Up with Treatment

Since many car accident injuries are not immediately apparent, it’s imperative to seek medical care right away.

If you fail to get medical care or delay doing so, you can hurt your claim. This is true even if you develop symptoms later. An insurance company will likely argue that you are making up symptoms or the crash did not cause them. When this occurs, getting fair and full compensation can be challenging.

Determine if the Other Driver Has Car Insurance

Ohio drivers are required to carry liability car insurance. However, many drivers continue to drive without insurance. When the liable driver is not insured, you may have to use uninsured motorist protection to cover your damages.

If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, you may need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Be Cautious with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company

Just like most businesses, insurance companies want to make money. Therefore, they will do all they can to reduce your settlement’s value or deny your claim. In this case, you should allow a car accident lawyer to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and refrain from signing any paperwork without a lawyer’s review.

If you are not careful with the liable driver’s insurer, you may be left with a low-ball settlement that does not cover all your damages.

Recover Compensation for a Car Accident

Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be unable to return to work for a significant period. The financial and physical toll of your injuries can be overwhelming for both you and your family. If your injuries were the result of another driver’s negligence, you may be able to obtain compensation for your car accident-related damages and losses.

Through a personal injury claim, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

How an Ohio Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Working with an experienced personal injury attorney gives you the best chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve. Having KNR by your side from the beginning can help:

Protect Your Rights after an Auto Collision.

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we can assist you with pursuing a compensation claim by negotiating with an insurance company or taking your personal injury case to court.

Preserve Valuable Evidence of Fault, Liability & Losses.

Preserving evidence is essential to proving liability for motor vehicle accident injuries. Our attorneys can begin working immediately to investigate your accident, collect and preserve evidence, review your accident report, and engage experts in analyzing the events of your crash.

Negotiate with the Insurer for the Maximum.

It is important to understand that insurance companies are not looking out for your best interest. Therefore, having a lawyer who can take the lead on negotiating with the insurance company and stand up for your rights is important.

Many of our attorneys have worked in the insurance industry, so we understand how the claims process works. We have unique insight into insurance companies’ strategies, which allows us to build the strongest possible case for why you deserve a fair and full settlement.

Contact KNR after an Ohio Car Accident for a 100% Free Consult

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we understand the pressure and uncertainty that you may be experiencing after a car crash. Our team has more than five centuries of combined legal experience and are ready to fight for the maximum compensation available.

With offices across Ohio, KNR makes getting legal representation for your car accident claim more convenient and accessible. We offer free initial consultation and don’t charge any fees unless you obtain compensation.

Call 1-800-HURT-NOW or fill out our online contact form.