When to get an attorney for a car accident

by James Barret
CAR ACCIDENT

Just about everyone drives. A car is a useful form of transport. People can come and go as they please when they please. This makes it easy to get to work, drop off kids and get a lot of errands done. A working car make the difference between being on time for a job and running late. It can also make the difference between being able to stay independent and being forced to rely on help from others in order to get things done in life. At the same time, operating a car can present certain hazards. Even the most skilled driver may face issues when they are behind the wheel. Many people will get into one or more accidents over the course of their lives.

A Disorienting Event

Any accident of any kind can quickly leave people feeling disoriented and scared. A single misjudgment can lead to people feeling uneasy and unsure what needs to be done next. Cars are items weighing thousands of pounds that can require a great deal of control just to keep on track as people drive. When one car crashes into another car, even at a low level of speed, the person behind the wheel may experience all sorts of feelings. They might be feeling terrified, angry and upset. They also might find it hard to believe that accident happened at all. In many cases, people start to think about the accident immediately and wonder if they need a personal injury attorney.

Getting It Together

The first thing you should do, as a car accident attorney in Los Angeles will tell you, is to take a moment if you can and allow yourself to get yourself together. A car accident is very frightening. It’s okay to feel that something happened that should not have happened and you are upset as a result of this experience. If you can get out of the car, get out of it and sit down somewhere as close as possible where everyone can see yuo for a few seconds or longer. This will help you take a deep breath and get control of your emotions in a more productive way. It will also help you assess the damage and begin to think about the next thing you are going to do.

Staying There

Another step you’ll want to take is staying at the accident. If you speak to a personal injury attorney, they will tell you must stay at the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident is a very dangerous thing. If you have been injured, you will want to contact medical care as soon as possible. Even a minor injury can quickly become serious. If you have struck your head on something, you may not be acting rationally and you may be in danger of a loss of cognitive skills. You should still take the time if you can to remain at the scene to allow the police to show up. If you have not done so, then it is best to call an attorney for assistance.

Other People

In many instances, you might be traveling with someone else. You’ll need to verify that the person who was with you at the time is in good shape. This means having a look at them if you can. A child may have been thrown against a surface of the car and have an injury that needs immediate attention. If you are afraid you have injured someone as a result of your actions while driving, it is imperative to make sure they are given all necessary medical attention. You’ll want to get in touch with the right medical authorities and tell them where you are and what happened. if you don’t act this way and it clear that someone has been injured at the scene, you could later be liable for both civil judgments and even possible criminal prosecution. Contacting a car accident attorney in Los Angeles is imperative under these circumstances.

Speaking With the Other Party

If you and the other person or people who were involved in this issue are capable of speech, now is the time to get in touch with them directly. You will need to exchange information about the accident and any kind of insurance that you have. Write down all information that you can including the license number as well as any and all insurance information. You should have as much information as you can. If you don’t have a space to write things down, you can use your phone to take a picture of it instead. This gives you a place that you can use later to examine it. If the other party or parties involved or you yourself lack insurance or have a problem with your driver’s license, it’s often best to speak with an attorney afterwards.

Documenting the Accident

Documenting the accident further is also useful. You want to take as many pictures as you can right now. Bring out your camera phone and start taking as many pictures as you want. If you don’t have access to that cellphone or it has been damaged in the accident, ask if there are people nearby who can help you out and lend you their phone. Ask them to write down their number so you can get in touch later. A car accident lawyer can also arrive at the scene and help you continue to document exactly what happened and what the scene looks like afterwards. It’s best to get as many pictures as possible. It’s also a good idea to find out the names of people who were at the scene with you. If you can, ask them for their phone numbers. They might be able to help you and any attorney later on if the case enters negotiation or you are facing any kind of charges. The same is true of any injuries you might have suffered. People can testify on your behalf that someone was in good shape and walking around when they emerged from the vehicle in the aftermath of the crash. They can also help your attorney build up a case in your favor as the case continues in the courts.

Keep It Close to the Vest

While scouting out witnesses can be of use, it’s best to keep in mind that you might be liable for damages in some way. If you think this is a problem, you should speak with a personal injury attorney. They will help you determine what to do next. In many cases, they will advice you to avoid speaking at all unless you must. Speaking out can lead to issues that may not be resolved in your favor. You might have all kinds of issues including medical issues that might make it hard to exercise good judgment about what to do next. The lawyer can be at your side to explain what to do before they get there and how to respond once they are at the scene with you in your personal defense. Consulting with an attorney under such situations is an ideal course of action.

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