The five things to do after a car accident in Virginia include reporting the collision to law enforcement, exchanging information and seeking medical attention, gathering evidence at the scene, reporting the accident to insurance companies, and seeking the help of a Charlottesville car accident lawyer.
Don’t Wait to Inform the Police About Your Car Accident
Calling the police is the first thing to do after a car accident in Virginia. Even if your accident is minor and you haven’t suffered any injuries, err on the side of caution. Otherwise, if you don’t, other parties involved in your accident could try to blame you for the incident down the line. If this happens, you may have to compensate these parties for their accident losses.
Dial 911 in the moments following your auto accident. Tell the police what happened, but don’t accept responsibility for your crash. Minutes later, police officers will arrive at the accident scene. They will obtain information from you and other parties involved in the incident, and those who saw it happen. Ultimately, this information can provide the basis for your accident report.
MartinWren, P.C., has recovered millions of dollars in damages for auto accident victims and many others. We can help you get a police report for your car accident. If necessary, we can represent you if you decide to file an auto accident lawsuit against anyone liable for your car crash. To learn more, schedule a free case consultation with us.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
Gather Evidence from the Scene of Your Accident
According to the Code of Virginia § 8.01-243, you may have two years from the day of your auto accident to ask for compensatory damages from any liable parties. Before you move forward with legal action against any responsible parties, one of the things you should do after your car accident is collect evidence from the scene.
Photos of damage to your car, your injuries, and the scene of your accident can make a difference in terms of determining liability. If you have proof from the crash scene that shows you are not to blame, you are well-positioned to get money from any liable parties for your accident losses.
If you have evidence from the scene of your car accident, share it with an auto collision lawyer. At this point, your attorney can evaluate your evidence and determine if you have a case for requesting damages. If so, they can walk you through the steps to take if you’ve been in a car accident, helping you get money for the harm you have suffered.
Treat Your Injuries and Receive Ongoing Medical Care for Your Accident Injuries
Your health, well-being, and safety are priorities in the aftermath of your auto accident. Thus, one of the things to do after your car crash in Virginia is to go to a doctor. If you dial 911, emergency responders can take you to an emergency room if you are badly injured. Or, you may meet with a doctor in the days after your accident to undergo a medical evaluation.
A doctor’s visit can be overwhelming, but it can benefit you long-term. Your doctor can examine you and provide care and support for your injuries. If you’ve been injured, your doctor can address your trauma in its early stages. On top of that, you can retrieve medical documentation that may help you get money from anyone at fault for your auto crash.
If you’re not careful, it may reach a point where it’s too late to go to a doctor after a car accident and claim that your injuries occurred during this incident. Rather than put yourself at risk of further harm, get medical attention right away. As you do, track your medical expenses, and your car accident attorney can use them as evidence in your case against any responsible parties.
Tell Your Car Insurance Company About Your Accident
You are subject to Virginia’s insurance requirements if you live in the state and drive a car. Based on these, all Virginia drivers must have at-fault insurance coverage. Your auto insurance company protects you financially if you’re to blame for your car crash. However, you should still contact your insurer after your accident, even if someone else is liable.
Among the things you should do after a car collision in Virginia is start a claim with your auto insurance company. Your claim is not an admission that you are at fault for your accident. Rather, it’s an opportunity for your insurance company to work with the insurers of other parties involved in your accident and find out who’s liable.
You may get a fair settlement from the insurance company of another driver involved in your auto accident. If you don’t, you still have legal options. At this time, you may want to partner with a car crash lawyer who has recorded outstanding verdicts and settlements in cases similar to yours.
Get Help from a Car Accident Lawyer
Allow an auto collision attorney to investigate your accident. To get insights into your crash, your lawyer may interview witnesses, examine traffic camera footage of the incident, and read the accident report from the police.
Your auto accident attorney wants you to focus on your recovery from your car crash. They can handle your legal matters as you care for yourself. Your lawyer can negotiate a settlement with a liable party’s insurance company. At the same time, they can prepare your case for trial.
Keep the lines of communication open with your attorney. If you have legal concerns or questions, your lawyer can address them. Your attorney can advocate for you and help you prove that anyone liable for your accident should have to pay damages.
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The Bottom Line on the 5 Things to Do After Your Car Accident in Virginia
At MartinWren, P.C., we offer comprehensive legal services and support to auto accident victims. We can assist you with the many things you should do following your car accident in Virginia.
Our auto accident attorneys will fight tirelessly to get you compensation from any responsible parties. Contact us for more information.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
