It is important that you act quickly – and intelligently – to help protect your rights after being in a car accident. Attorney Ken Harrell of Joye Law Firm shares what he believes a person should do after being involved in a car wreck. Watch the full video on YouTube.
If you have been in a car accident, the first thing that you probably want to do is make sure that the police get called to the scene. I am always surprised by the number of people who just sort of exchange information and leave, but unless we get that documentation from the police about what happened, it can be very hard to prove responsibility. Just because at the scene somebody is telling you “I’m sorry,” and “I take responsibility,” does not mean that that will be what they are saying a couple of weeks down the road.
But, the most important thing is to seek appropriate medical care. There are some situations, if you have been seriously injured, the EMS personnel, they’re going to take care of you and they’re going to get you to the hospital. But it is always better to get checked out – and the sooner the better. The way I look at it is, if you have been in an accident and someone else caused it, why should you take the risk that there’s some problem or some injury without getting checked out or getting diagnostic tests done? I always say, if the president got rear-ended in a car accident, you can bet that they’d be doing a whole host of diagnostic tests to make sure that he’s okay. And you’re entitled to that same standard of care, and so don’t take a chance with your health. If you know you’ve been injured, seek appropriate medical attention, and I would urge you to seek appropriate diagnostic testing.
Other Steps to Take After a Car Accident
In addition to notifying the police and seeking medical care, you should also take pictures of the car accident scene and your injuries if possible. Also notify your insurance company of the accident, and think seriously about hiring a car accident lawyer to represent you. While you may not think that you need an attorney, a lawyer can be a key asset during negotiations, and could greatly improve the odds of your case being successful.
Knowing how to handle a car accident or what to do after a car accident can be confusing. To help clarify things and answer your toughest questions, call the experienced South Carolina car accident attorneys at Joye Law Firm today.
Serving the community since 1968, we have decades of experience when it comes to representing car accident victims. A consultation with our team is free, and we will happily answer your questions without any obligation to hire us. To learn more, contact us using our online form or call our offices directly.
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