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A Cincinnati car accident can be a scarring experience. Most of us learned how to drive when we were 16 or 17 years old. We practiced in our parents’ car. Maybe a friend lent you their vehicle when you took your driver’s test. What they don’t teach teenagers is what to do if they get into a car accident.
In fact, most of you would be surprised to know that the first call most accident victims make is to their mom, dad or spouse. They waste valuable time when they should have been calling the police. Any Cincinnati car accident lawyer will tell you that the first thing to do after any car accident, no matter how minor, is to call 911.
Once you call 911, then you can call your loved one. Check to see if anyone involved in the crash is hurt. If you realize some victims are in worse shape than the rest, let the officers know so they can get them airlifted or taken to the hospital right away. Then you can arrange for an ambulance to transport you to the emergency room. Even if you aren’t hurt, calling 911 is not an option. It can make or break your chances of collecting damages for your injuries.
Your Health is Your First Priority – Call 911 for an Ambulance
Even if your car is destroyed, the first thing on your mind has to be your health and safety. While the police are doing their thing, you need to go get to the hospital. Once there, they’ll do all the necessary tests to see if you have any broken bones or a traumatic brain injury.
If they clear you to go home, then you can wait about the other things. If they tell you that you’re going to need surgery and physical therapy, then you’ll worry about that down the road. The important thing is that your Cincinnati car accident lawyer will make sure you get the damages to cover any medical care you may need.
Let the Police Officer Conduct a Thorough Investigation
Drivers in a car accident are so impatient to get on their way, they often agree with the other party to just exchange insurance information. The truth is that you have no idea if they’re telling you the truth. You also lose the chance to prove who was at fault if you don’t call the police.
Once they arrive, they’re going to do a very detailed investigation of the crash site. They know to look for things that most people don’t think of. They’re also going to interview the drivers and the witnesses at the scene. They’ll take pictures of the cars from different angles as well as of the ground. They write a description of the road conditions and weather. There is very little that won’t be in their police report. Your Cincinnati car accident lawyer is going to review this report and use it to help piece together what happened.
Look Around and Take Pictures of the Scene and Any Witnesses
If you have time before going to the hospital, try to take videos and pictures of the accident scene. If you have any friends or family there, ask them to do this for you. The same goes for talking to any witnesses who are still on the scene. You don’t know when your Cincinnati car accident lawyer will get a chance to talk to them in the future,
Get Treated by a Doctor at the Hospital
Once you’re discharged from the hospital, you need to follow up with your doctor’s treatment plan. If they say go to physical therapy, go to physical therapy. If they tell you to refrain from driving, then don’t drive. This could come back to haunt you later on.
Determine the Damage to Your Vehicle
Once you know you and your family are physically okay, you need to take a look at your car. Your insurance company is going to want to see your vehicle so they can do an estimate to see how much it’ll cost to repair or replace the vehicle. You’ll want to get this done as soon as possible so your Cincinnati car accident lawyer can include it in your demand for damages.
Meet With an Experienced Cincinnati Car Accident Lawyer
The very first thing you should do when you get home is calling our office and talk to one of our experienced Cincinnati car accident lawyers. They’ll offer you a free consultation and let you know what your options are.
