What to Do After a Car Accident in Brockton

Remember, some of the most important evidence won’t be there for long. Vehicles are moved, weather washes away skid marks, and witnesses forget what they saw. You should immediately start taking pictures of the scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, visible injuries, and the surrounding conditions. You should also get the names and contact information of any witnesses. 

If it’s safe to do so, you can start exchanging information immediately; if not, it’s fine to wait until the police arrive. Either way, you have to give the other driver your contact and insurance information, and you should get the same information from them. If your crash happened to involve a commercial vehicle, get the name and contact information of their employer as well. 

However, you need to watch what you say at the scene. Keep your comments brief and stick to the facts of what happened. Don’t say anything about fault, or anything that could be construed as admitting responsibility. That includes apologizing. You don’t want to say anything an insurance company could use against you. 

Even if you feel okay, and even if you were checked out by paramedics, you have to take this step to protect your health. Car accidents often cause concussions, bone fractures, internal injuries, and other types of injuries that can fly under the proverbial radar. You need to be examined by a doctor to make sure you’re in the clear. 

You can go to the emergency department at Brockton Hospital or an urgent care center. You can even see your primary care provider (PCP) if they have walk-in hours or same-day appointments available. The key is to get checked out as soon as possible, ideally on the day of the crash. Tell your doctor about all your symptoms and don’t leave anything out. It’s important to get an accurate medical diagnosis and to document your injuries for your legal case. 

In the days and weeks following the crash, follow your doctor’s instructions. Take your medications, see the specialists you’re referred to, go to your follow-up visits, and take it easy if your doctor advises you to rest. Again, this is important for both your health and your legal rights. 

Your car insurance policy likely requires you to notify your insurance company soon after a car accident. When you talk to your insurance company, explain what happened as briefly as possible. Again, stick to the facts. Don’t volunteer any extra information or speculate about who is at fault for the crash. Don’t talk about your injuries in detail either; just say you’re getting medical treatment. 

Remember, you don’t have to talk to the other driver’s insurance company at all. You also don’t have to sign a release, give a statement, or accept a settlement offer. The best option is to hire an attorney and review any documents you get from an insurance company with that attorney before you sign. Indeed, your lawyer can even handle the initial notification to your insurance company if you hire them right away.