A car accident is one of life’s most frightening experiences because it’s a terrifying reminder of how life can change in an instant. Accidents are even more traumatic when they cause serious injuries. Unfortunately, the distress of a Washington car accident often continues even after physical recovery, due to the state’s fault-based car accident laws. In Washington, an injury victim seeking compensation for their damages must file a claim against the responsible driver, with compelling evidence of the at-fault party’s fault and liability.
When someone causes a car accident, taking the right steps immediately after the accident and during the recovery period helps to support a compelling claim to recover your losses. Make sure to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Arlington for legal guidance.
What Should I Do After a Washington Car Accident?
When an accident causes severe or catastrophic injuries, the injury victims may be incapacitated and unable to take any action to protect themselves, relying instead on others. However, if you or an uninjured companion can safely use a cell phone at the accident scene, protecting your well-being starts there. Immediately after the accident, take the following steps:
- First, call 911 to report the accident and apply first aid
- Then, use your phone’s camera to take photos of the damaged vehicles, the accident scene, and anything relevant to the cause of the accident
- Take photos of any visible injuries
- Add the other driver’s contact information to your phone
- Add the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the accident
- Record what you remember about the accident while it’s fresh in your mind, since trauma can fade the details later
After the accident, either ride to the hospital in an ambulance for severe injuries or arrange transportation directly to an emergency room.
What to Do at the Hospital After a Car Accident In Washington
After a car accident, you should always request a full medical evaluation in addition to the treatment you receive for your emergency injuries. This helps to diagnose injuries with delayed symptom presentation, such as traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, and internal organ injuries. A prompt diagnosis quickly addresses injuries with proper treatment and also ensures that you have evidence that your injuries occurred in the accident. After your emergency treatment, do the following:
- Ask for a detailed medical report listing your injuries, the doctor’s treatment recommendations, and the prognosis for your recovery
- Ask for a copy of the medical report and the physician’s notes
- Report the accident to your insurance company
Your medical report becomes essential evidence in a Washington car accident claim and helps you to recover the full value of your losses.
What to Do During the Months After a Washington Car Accident
After a car accident, it’s critical for both your health and a successful Washington car accident claim to follow your doctor’s orders carefully. Attend every appointment and fill all prescriptions. Then, do the following:
- Request a copy of the Washington car accident report
- Contact an Arlington personal injury attorney and direct all communication with the insurance company to your lawyer
- Save all medical bills, invoices, and receipts for related expenses
- Avoid posting on social media until after you resolve your claim
Never accept an early settlement offer from the insurance company without speaking to a car accident attorney. Often, these offers are intentionally made before an injury victim can know the full financial impacts of the accident. Accepting a settlement offer requires signing away your right to file a lawsuit.
A car accident claim can quickly become a challenging legal endeavor. By taking the right steps after the accident, you can streamline the process and maximize the chances of an outcome that’s in your favor. Contact us today for a free consultation.