JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

The first thing to do is stop immediately. Turn off the ignition. Stay calm.

If you are involved in a car accident in Pennsylvania, and don’t appear to be injured, there are a few things you can do. Stay calm and assess the situation. Look around and see if there are any other injured parties who were involved in the accident. If you have a phone available, call for police or other emergency help, and tell the dispatcher whether other people seem to be injured.  Only after you have alerted the authorities should you offer to help—for instance, by offering basic first aid if you are able. Then, wait for help to arrive. Talk with emergency workers, and be checked out by a medical professional. Don’t assume that because you feel fine, you are fine. You may have injuries you are unaware of.

If you’re injured

If you know you have an injury after your Philadelphia car accident, be sure to seek professional medical attention right away. Your injuries might seem minor, but they may be worse than they appear. Internal injuries don’t always have immediate symptoms that are noticeable. Only a trained medical professional can tell you the extent of your injuries. Avoiding seeking medical attention immediately may make it more difficult to receive the financial compensation you deserve later on if your injuries appear or worsen.

Follow-up: preserving evidence and contacting other people

If your condition allows, the next step is to gather a record of what happened. Take photos of the accident scene, damaged vehicles, and injured people with your cell phone. Get names and contact information from anyone who may have been a witness to the incident. Get the name, address, phone number, and insurance information from any other driver involved in the crash.  Preserving this information could be crucial to your future financial recovery.

Answer questions from the police in a factual manner. Do not speculate. Even if you think you may have been the cause of the auto accident, do not admit fault until all of the facts are clear. Allow police, your attorney, and the insurance companies to investigate; there may be outside factors that contributed to the your accident.

Contact your insurance carrier and your Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer as soon as convenient after the accident. Getting legal advice early on can be essential if you have suffered losses due to the negligence of another person. The experienced Philadelphia motor vehicle accident attorneys at Mednick, Mezyk, & Kredo, P.C., can help you determine whether you have a potential claim and, if so, how large your compensation may be. Call 215-545-5220 or 215-545-1870 today for a free, no-obligation consultation.