Car accidents are a common yet unfortunate reality in Seattle, Washington. Getting into an accident can be unexpected, stressful, and ridden with emotion, and the steps you take following an accident play a pivotal role in your recovery and your ability to get compensation. Furthermore, here are some important steps to take after getting into an accident in Seattle.
Remain Calm
First and foremost, following an accident, you will want to do your best to stay calm. Although getting into an accident can be very overwhelming and heighten your emotions, it is in your best interest to do all that you can to control yourself. While this is much easier said than done, especially under certain circumstances, the more relaxed and calm you are able to remain, the easier it will be to communicate with authorities and the less likely you will be to admit fault when you shouldn’t have.
Check for Injuries
After doing your best to remain calm, you will want to assess whether you or any other individuals involved have sustained any injuries. If anyone is injured, it is important to call 911 immediately to request prompt medical assistance. Your timeliness in doing this is incredibly important, especially in more serious accidents.
Move to Safety
The next thing that you will want to do, if possible, is to move yourself and your vehicle to safety to avoid another accident or further injury. Of course, if you are injured or if your vehicle is undrivable, moving to safety will not be an option, and your physical safety should be your number one priority. Putting on your hazard lights can also be helpful to alert other drivers to proceed with caution.
Call the Police
The next step to take is to call the local police. In the state of Washington, even if the accident is minor and police response is not necessary, you are required by law to report the incident to the Washington State Patrol if the damages are over $1,000. To obtain a copy of your collision report later on, which will be important when filing a car accident claim, you can look for it on the Washington Request for Electronic Collision Reports website.
Gather Information
After you have taken the aforementioned steps, you will want to gather any information and evidence that you can. You will want to make sure that you exchange personal information with any individuals involved in the accident, including names, contact information, driver’s license information, and insurance information. Additionally, if there were any witnesses to the accident, you should try to get their contact information as well, as this can help to strengthen your car accident claim.
Document the Scene
After exchanging important personal information with any involved parties, you will want to document the accident scene by taking photographs and videos. This evidence will be important for your car accident claim as well. You should try and take pictures and videos of any injuries, property damage, road conditions, license plates, and any other parts of the area that were impacted by the accident.
Notify Your Insurance
Notifying your insurance provider about the car accident soon after it occurs is incredibly important. This is because some insurance companies may bar you from receiving any coverage or compensation if it is not reported in a timely manner.
Contact a Lawyer
The last thing that you will want to do following a car accident is to get in contact with an experienced Seattle car accident lawyer. Since insurance companies are notorious for giving small settlement amounts or denying your claim altogether, a lawyer can help ensure that you are not taken advantage of and that your rights are protected. A car accident lawyer in Seattle will help you gather any evidence from the accident, create a convincing case on your behalf, file important paperwork, and make sure that you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.
