Steps to Take After a Car Accident

Car accidents are terrifying experiences. There is the sudden loss of control, the crash of metal and glass, and painful injuries. If a loved one is seriously injured, it’s even more frightening and traumatic. If you’ve suffered a head injury or severe trauma, you may be unable to do anything other than wait in place for help to arrive; however, if you can move safely, use your phone from your location without moving, or hand your phone to an uninjured person to use for you, it becomes a critical lifeline for recovering from the accident—both physically and financially.

What to Do at the Scene of the Car Accident

Illinois law requires drivers to remain at the scene of an accident until a law enforcement officer clears them to leave or when they exit in an ambulance. Leaving the scene of an accident with injuries is a hit-and-run offense with criminal consequences under Illinois 625 ILCS 5/11-401). After the accident, use your phone to call 911 to report the accident and request emergency services. Then, give reasonable aid and comfort to injury victims if you’re able to move safely. While you wait for EMS to arrive, you or an uninjured person can quickly use a cell phone to do the following:

• Take photos of the accident scene, including anything relevant, like an intersection, traffic signal, debris in the road, skidmarks, or the lack of skidmarks
• Photograph the damaged vehicles
• Take photos of any visible injuries
• Add the contact information of the other driver or multiple drivers involved in the crash
• Add the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the accident

Getting eyewitnesses’ names and contact information after an accident can be critical to proving how the accident happened and who was at fault, especially in places that lack traffic cameras or nearby surveillance cameras. Sometimes, eyewitnesses to accidents vanish from the scene without leaving contact information with law enforcement, making it difficult to prove fault and liability.

What To Do In the Hours and Days Following a Car Accident

It’s always best to go directly to a hospital after an accident, even if you think your injuries are mild. Either accept transportation in an ambulance or arrange for someone to drive you to a hospital or urgent care center straight from the accident. It’s far more challenging to prove a claim for damages if you wait a day or more to seek medical attention. The insurance company will state that you cannot prove that the injuries occurred in the accident.

At the hospital and in the days to follow, do the following:

• Undergo a thorough medical examination as well as treatment for obvious emergency injuries
• Tell the doctor about every symptom, even if it seems mild
• Ask for a detailed medical report of your injuries, listing the doctor’s recommended treatment plan, and your prognosis for recovery
• Call your insurance company to report the accident and give them the contact information of the at-fault driver
• Report the accident to the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within ten days
• Request a copy of the police report

If you left the scene of a minor accident because there were no injuries and only very minor property damage, it’s still critical to exchange contact information with the other driver and report the accident to the police and your insurance company within ten days. Speak to a Chicago personal injury lawyer to learn more. 

How Can a Chicago Car Accident Attorney Help?

Even when you’ve done everything right after a car accident, insurance companies commonly dispute, delay, and deny claims to protect their profits at your expense. An experienced car accident lawyer can protect your interests throughout the process of your Chicago car accident case and ensure that you take the best possible pathway forward for recovery. Call the expert car accident lawyers in Chicago at Smith LaCien LLP today so we can begin a strategy for your unique case.