What to Do After a Car Accident in Lowell, MA

Call emergency services and wait at the scene until the Lowell Police or the Massachusetts State Police arrive. Leaving the scene of an accident, unless absolutely necessary to get emergency medical attention, is a serious crime in Massachusetts. The police will secure the scene, call an ambulance for anyone who needs one, investigate the crash and prepare a police accident report – a key piece of evidence in your claim. 

By law, you need to give the other driver your contact and insurance information, and you should get that information from the other driver as well. You should also get names and contact information for any witnesses, as well as the name and badge number of the investigating officer. However, don’t discuss the accident in detail with anyone at the scene. Stick to the facts of what happened and don’t say anything about fault. Insurance adjusters only need one mistake to seize on to try to deny or devalue your claim. 

What you should do is start gathering evidence. Take pictures of the scene, the vehicles, the surrounding conditions, and any visible injuries. Take note of what other involved drivers say at the scene. If there are any security cameras nearby, definitely take note of that as well. The more evidence you can gather, the stronger your legal case is likely to be. 

Even if you feel fine, don’t skip this step. Car accidents can cause hidden injuries with delayed symptoms. Even if you were checked out by a paramedic or EMT at the scene, you may have internal bleeding, a concussion, whiplash, or another delayed-onset injury. You need to get that checked out to protect your health and your legal rights. 

So, see a doctor as soon as possible, ideally on the same day. Go to Lowell General, an urgent care clinic, or your primary care provider if you can get a same-day appointment. Tell the doctor you were in a car crash and explain your symptoms in as much detail as possible. Keep your visit summary, bills, and any other medical records – they’re all critical pieces of evidence in your case. 

Then, follow your doctor’s instructions. Go to any recommended follow-up appointments. If your doctor recommends that you see a specialist, do so. Take your medications and let your doctor know if anything changes. Again, this is important for your health, and it also protects your rights. If you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions, you’re just giving the insurance company ammunition to reduce or reject your claim. 

Most insurance policies require you to tell your insurance company soon after you’re involved in an accident. You can’t skip this notification, but you do have to be careful. Answer their questions as succinctly as you can and don’t volunteer any extra information. When it comes to your injuries, “I’m in the care of a doctor” is plenty. And remember, you’re only required to talk to your insurance company – if the other driver’s insurance company calls you, politely decline to speak with them. 

Remember, even your own insurance company has a profit motive to reduce or deny your claim, and you have to assume they will use anything you give them for that purpose. Don’t sign a release or give a statement without talking to your lawyer first. Most importantly, never accept a settlement offer without reviewing it with an attorney. Once you take the insurance company’s money, your case is closed. 

The best option is to talk to an attorney who can deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. If you hire a lawyer right away, they can even handle the initial notification of your insurance company. 

Again, the most important thing you can do is to talk to an attorney, ideally before you talk to the insurance company. It’s never too soon to call a car accident lawyer – you can call them from the scene of the accident – but it can be too late. The sooner you get a lawyer involved, the more effectively they can investigate the crash and protect your rights while you focus on getting better. 

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Lowell, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. Get an experienced, verified Lowell car accident lawyer on your side today.