What to Do After a Car Accident in Connecticut

Being involved in a car accident can be a frightening time in a person’s life. Even small accidents that do not cause injuries can cause a stressful situation. While any person can be quick to panic when an accident happens, it is important to try and stay calm. This is because remaining calm allows you to focus on the situation at hand, allowing you to handle it to the best of your ability.

In addition to staying calm, there are a number of things that should be done after an accident happens. This can include:

Call the Police

Once an accident happens, it is important to get law enforcement on the scene as soon as possible. Even if the other party involved in the accident tells you otherwise, contacting law enforcement is crucial. When they are on the scene of the accident, they can direct other traffic around the wreckage. This ensures your safety as well as the safety of others. In addition to this, they can draft an official police report, take statements from witnesses, and conduct chemical tests. This is all information that can be used to process a claim with your insurance company.

Do Not Apologize

Most drivers have the impulse reaction to apologize immediately after an accident happens. While it can be seen as the right thing to do, it is important to try and avoid issuing an apology. This is because an apology can sometimes be seen as an admission of fault. Instead, the right thing to do is to be polite and call emergency services. This can help you avoid the discussion of liability entirely.

Photo or Video of the Wreck

If the scene of the accident is safe, you should walk about the wreckage to take pictures and even videos. This helps you to document any broken glass, deployed airbags, skid marks, and bloodstains that happened during the incident. Recording the weather and road conditions can also be helpful in filing a claim in the future.

Record Important Details

Before leaving the scene of an accident, all necessary information should be gathered. While law enforcement is on the scene, you should not assume they will document this for you. It is important to be proactive and record any details that can help you file a claim. This can also include the names of witnesses, their phone numbers, and the registration information of any vehicle involved in the accident.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

One of the most important things to do after being involved in a car accident is to seek medical attention. This should be done immediately, even if you feel fine at the moment. This is because it is possible to have an injury without realizing it or experience symptoms at a later time. While emergency responders may be on the scene to conduct examinations, you should still see a doctor afterward. This can give you an official diagnosis, document where, why, and what time your injuries happened. This information can be used in filing a future claim.

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Marc N. Needelman is an experienced attorney working throughout the state of Connecticut. Contact the law firm to set up a free initial consultation for matters, related to real estate, personal injury, criminal defense, estate planning, and more.

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