What should I do if I am a passenger in an accident?
Any time you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, your first priority will be safety. Get out of the vehicle and find a safe place on the side of the road away from the flow of vehicles. If you can't get out of the car, call 911 and let them know you're stuck. They will now send the appropriate equipment and respondent.
After that, you need to take care of your medical needs. Let emergency medical personnel assess your injuries at the scene and follow any of their recommendations. If you do not want to leave the scene in an ambulance, you should still go to the emergency department or emergency care center.
Even if you feel that you are not injured at all, it is always important to contact your primary care physician as soon as possible. Some injuries may not start to show symptoms for a few days or weeks after the accident. Only a qualified medical provider can determine the extent of your injury. Whether you think you were injured or not, this documentation will be important evidence in your personal injury claim.
Once you have met your medical needs, now is the time to address your legal needs. Find an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Do not make any statement about the accident to the insurance company unless you have hired a lawyer.
Once the insurance company is aware of your attorney's contact information, they will no longer be able to contact you about the accident, which will prevent you from inadvertently saying anything that could be harmful to your personal injury claim.
After a car accident, will I have to go to court?
If your attorney files a lawsuit on your behalf, you may have to go to court. Before the trial, there is a status conference to handle the schedule and other administrative matters.
You don't usually have to speak at this conference. If the attorneys do not agree on the evidence that can be used in the trial, the court may hold a hearing to determine whether the evidence can be accepted.
While this may sound overwhelming, it is important to understand that very few personal injuries are ever prosecuted. Most car accidents in the United States are settled out of court.
This fact makes you less likely to go to court, but if you do, your attorney will fully prepare you for what you expect and what will happen.