by Isaac Kimes
Stranch, Jennings & Garvey, Member and Personal Injury Co-Lead
As a personal injury lawyer, I handle many car wreck cases. In fact, I have been called by clients from the scene of the collision asking me what to do. In this article, I hope to lay out some of the “best practices” for folks to think of if they are unfortunately in a car wreck.
- Call the police
If you are able to safely keep your car in the location where the collision happened, do so. Otherwise, move your vehicle somewhere safe and then call the police. In some areas, like Nashville, the police can be slow to respond. I encourage folks to wait it out because you do not want to be in a “he said, she said” situation later on regarding who was at fault.
- Be mindful of your words and actions
Everything you say and do could later be under scrutiny. I know emotions are running high, but try your best to keep them in check. It is unlikely that the person had any intent to hit you. If you jump out of the car and start moving around swiftly, it could be perceived that you are not really injured. Your adrenaline is up: try to move slowly, talk slowly, and stay calm.
- Take photographs and videos
Take a reasonable amount of photographs and a few short videos from a safe position.
- Obtain information from the other driver
If you feel safe doing it, go ahead and obtain the contact information and insurance information of the other driver. It may take the police a while to arrive, and they may have a typo in their police report, so this information obtained on your own is helpful.
- Seek immediate medical treatment, if you need it
Do not shy away from asking for ambulance transport to an ER if you believe you need it. Or, alternatively, drive yourself to an ER. Even wrecks without massive property damage can result in substantial physical injury. ER treatment can ensure that nothing is seriously wrong.
- Notify your car insurance
Once you have settled in somewhere, notify your own car insurance of what has happened. You will want to open up a “claim” with them and get them the information they need to start the process of getting your vehicle repaired, obtaining a rental car vehicle, etc.
- Consider hiring a lawyer
Personal injury lawyers are trained in navigating this exact situation. We assist our clients in ensuring they get on the road to recovery, and obtaining damages for all they have been through.