What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident
Recovering from a car accident can be tough. Between worrying about your health, fixing your car, and figuring out your legal options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, you should also take appropriate steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights.
For over forty years, our seasoned attorneys at Whit A. Thomas, Attorney at Law, have helped Alabama car accident victims pursue justice and seek fair compensation for their injuries.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Baldwin, Escambia, Mobile, or Monroe County, Alabama, our team is here to support you. This blog examines what you should do immediately after a car accident to safeguard your health, legal rights, and future.
1. Prioritize Your Safety and Medical Attention
The safety and well-being of everyone involved in the accident should always be your top priority. If it’s safe, move the vehicles out of traffic to avoid additional accidents. Activate your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
If you or another party has sustained injuries, call local emergency services immediately to request medical assistance. Even if an injury appears minor, it's important to have it evaluated by a doctor. Some symptoms for internal injuries or whiplash may not appear until hours or even days after the crash.
Medical records from your treatment will also play an important role if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
2. Call Law Enforcement
Contact the police and file an accident report, even for minor bumps or fender benders. Alabama law requires you to report any motor vehicle accident that results in injury, death, or significant property damage, but it's equally important to report minor accidents as well.
The responding officer will document the scene, take statements, and file an official accident report, which can strengthen your case if you file a claim. Request the officer’s name and badge number, as this information will help you retrieve the incident report later, if necessary.
3. Gather Information at the Scene
Take pictures or videos of the accident scene immediately after the incident, if possible. Be sure to document the following:
The damage to all vehicles involved
The exact positions of vehicles after the collision
Skid marks, debris, road conditions, or other indicators of the accident
Visible injuries sustained by you or other passengers
Exchange contact information with the other driver(s), including their name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance details. Refrain from making statements that admit fault, as they could negatively affect your case in the future.
If there are witnesses to the accident, gather their names and contact details. Their accounts can provide valuable, unbiased insights into what happened.
4. Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Share accurate information and any evidence you’ve gathered, including the police report when available. Keep in mind that most insurance companies have strict deadlines for filing claims, so you must act promptly.
However, be careful what you say to your insurance company. Insurers may attempt to minimize the value of your claim, especially if you’ve suffered significant damages or injuries. State the facts and don't make any admissions of fault or guilt. Consider consulting with an attorney before speaking with your insurance agent or agreeing to a settlement offered by the insurance company.
5. Understand Alabama Car Accident Laws
Alabama follows a contributory negligence system, one of the most stringent in the nation. Under this rule, if you are found even 1% at fault for an accident, you could lose the right to recover any compensation.
For example, if it’s determined that your actions contributed in any way to the crash (even slightly), you cannot recover damages from the other driver’s insurance.
Alabama also employs a strict statute of limitations for car accidents. You typically have two years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury or property damage. Missing this deadline can lead to the dismissal of your case, leaving you without any legal options to pursue compensation.
6. Work With an Attorney
Working with an experienced car accident attorney can often be the difference between recovering damages and not receiving the compensation you need. They can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain, and suffering, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Car Accident Attorney Serving Baldwin County, Alabama
At Whit A. Thomas, Attorney at Law, we have successfully represented car accident victims across Alabama since 1980. We have a deep understanding of wrongful death cases and have helped many clients pursue compensation. We serve clients in Baldwin County, Escambia County, Mobile County, and Monroe County.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, schedule a free initial consultation today and let us help you take the first step toward peace of mind. With our no-win, no-fee guarantee, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.