What to Do After a Car Accident in Fall River, MA

Get to a safe location, of course, but don’t leave the scene of the accident – that’s a serious crime in Massachusetts. Call 911 and wait for the Fall River Police or the Massachusetts State Police to arrive. The police will secure the area, investigate the accident, and call an ambulance for anyone who needs one. The police will also prepare an official accident report, which is a key piece of evidence in your claim. 

By law, you need to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved. (If you don’t feel safe doing so right away, it’s okay to wait for the police to arrive.) You should also get the names and contact information of any witnesses, as well as the name and badge number of the investigating police officer. However, don’t say anything about fault for the accident, and don’t apologize. Keep your comments brief and stick to the facts of what happened. 

If you have a camera or cellphone, take as many pictures of the scene as possible. Make sure you capture the positions of the vehicles, property damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Take note of what others say at the scene as well. All this evidence will be critical to your claim for financial compensation. 

You can and should get checked out by EMTs at the crash scene, but even if you feel fine, you should follow up with a doctor. Go to Charlton Memorial Hospital or Saint Anne’s, an urgent care clinic like Southcoast Health Urgent Care, or your primary care provider – the most important thing is that you get checked out as soon as possible, ideally on the day of the crash. Remember, car accidents often cause hidden injuries like concussions or internal bleeding. A medical exam is critical to protect your health – and your rights. 

When you see a doctor, you create medical documentation of your injuries. This is important in case the insurance company later tries to downplay your injuries or deny that they were crash related. Put yourself in the best position to win by telling your doctor about all your symptoms, from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Don’t exaggerate, but don’t leave anything out either. 

For the same reason, you need to stay on top of your health in the days, weeks, and months following the crash. Go to your follow-up medical appointments. Take your medications as prescribed. Get the diagnostic tests and see the specialists your doctor recommends. Throughout the process, save copies of all medical records and bills, and show them to your lawyer. 

You have to notify your car insurance company promptly after an accident, but you don’t have to give them too much information. Tell them you were in a crash, answer their questions succinctly, and don’t volunteer extra details. If you’re asked about your injuries, just say you were injured and are under the care of a doctor. And remember, you don’t have to talk to the other driver’s insurance company at all. Leave that to your attorney. 

Insurance companies – yes, including yours – are notorious for looking for excuses to reject or reduce accident claims. Be cautious when dealing with them. If you’re asked to sign a release or give a recorded statement, talk to your lawyer first. If you’re offered a settlement, definitely review it with your lawyer before you accept it. Once you take the insurance company’s money, that’s it. Your case is closed, and there is little an attorney can do. 

If you hire a Fall River car accident attorney, they can handle the insurance company on your behalf. That even includes making the initial notification to your own insurance company if you hire the lawyer soon enough after the crash. 

Again, you don’t want to go it alone after a car accident. The legal system is complex, and the insurance companies start with the upper hand. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner they can start investigating and building your case. Your lawyer can stand up to the insurance company and get your case moving forward while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life. 

It’s never too soon to hire a car accident lawyer, but it can be too late. Your lawyer needs to get started before critical evidence disappears and important legal deadlines expire. If you were hurt in a car accident in Fall River, contact a verified attorney for a free consultation.