3 Things You MUST Do After A Car Accident

Nov 9 2017

You’ve been involved in a car accident. Now what do you do? First and foremost, don’t admit fault. Even if you think you were at fault, there may be other circumstances you may not be aware of that could change the outcome of an insurance claim. Remember not to leave the accident scene until you’ve acquired the other driver’s insurance and personal information and you’ve spoken with police, fire and emergency personnel. But did you know there are three other things you must do following a car crash? Many people are often not aware of these, but they are still important.

1. Document Everything

Unless it is unsafe to do so, take pictures of the accident before anyone moves their vehicles. Be sure to get close-up shots of any damage to all vehicles. You should also get the name, address and phone number of each person involved in the accident, along with the information from their insurance supplier and their vehicle registration. You may need to know if the vehicle was registered and the type of insurance for your case.

Don’t forget to get contact information from any witnesses to the accident. If the other driver reports the circumstances of the accident incorrectly or dishonestly, you may need their help to corroborate your side of the story.

2. Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Time is everything when you are pursuing a claim against an at-fault driver. You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible for a consultation. Most accident claims have a two-year limitation period. If you wait too long, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit to recoup any damages or out-of-pocket expenses that you incur for treatment.

Injuries from an accident could show up days or even weeks later. It’s a good idea to consult with your doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Request X-rays or scans of any sore spots: you may have cracked a bone, torn a muscle or experienced other injuries that may not seem serious at first. It is important to have all your symptoms documented, no matter how mild they may appear. See your doctor regularly after the accident and follow any treatment recommendations that are made to you. If you don’t have a family doctor, find a walk-in clinic and attend there consistently for treatment after the accident.

3. Avoid Social Media

One of the worst things you could do after an accident is to post about it on your social media accounts. This information could be used against you during a lawsuit. Remember ICBC makes it a practice to review social media profiles to see how physically active you are. If you are perceived to be too active, it may cause ICBC representatives to question whether your injuries are as serious as you say, or they may even use the information you posted as a reason to deny your claim. It’s a good idea to limit your social media use after an accident and consult a lawyer before you post anything through your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social media accounts.

Contact RDM Lawyers LLP

If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, contact RDM Lawyers for a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. Bring all relevant documents with you, including photos, medical bills or invoices and the police report.