Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney: What to do in a car accident?

What to do after a Car Accident

If you live in Los Angeles, or any other city for that matter, you are well aware of the fact that car accidents happen every day. There are many different causes of car accidents and the types of car accident injuries can range from minor to life-threatening or even fatal. Being involved in a car accident can be an extremely traumatic experience. Whether or not you think you sustained serious injuries, even seemingly insignificant injuries can have devastating and life-long effects.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, you need to contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer at the Lagstein Law Firm as soon as possible after your accident. In the meantime, this will help you know what to do in a car accident:

Do not flee or leave the scene of the accident: The only exception is if you have been hit by another car in a deserted or unsafe area. In cases such as that, you may not feel safe exiting your vehicle, therefore it would be smarter to drive to the nearest police station and report the accident. Should it turn out you were being overly-cautious and the other driver meant no ill-will, you are still safe.
Check to ensure you and everyone else involved in the accident is okay. If anyone involved in the accident complains of neck or back pain, or they are unconscious, it is best to not move them. If they are threatened by more serious injuries, such as the car catching on fire, than it would be smarter to move them to safety. You must keep in mind, of course, that the less movement to a person with potential neck or back injuries, the better off they will be when help arrives.
Get medical attention as soon as possible for anyone who has been injured.
Call the police, especially if the accident involved significant property damage, catastrophic injuries or a fatality. Even minor accidents may warrant a police report. When the police arrive, be sure to ask them to file a police report so that you will be able to reference that report in your insurance claim or lawsuit. Also remember to get the names and badge numbers of the officers involved.
Take notes for yourself. Be sure to note what happened before, during and after the accident. Note down what kind of damage and injuries were sustained, not only to yourself, but to others as well. It is key to note down this information while you are at the accident scene and it is still fresh in your mind. Facts such as time and place of the accident, weather conditions, who was present, what they said, whether you suspect the accident to be a drunk driving accident, if you saw the driver talking on their cell phone or driving while texting prior to the accident, what you experienced, how you feel and more, could all play an important part in your claim or lawsuit.
Take pictures. If you do not have a camera or camera phone, then draw or sketch out the accident scene. Include details about where the accident took places, any other cars parked nearby, landmarks, traffic signs, skid marks, damage to vehicles, etc.

Following the accident, after you meet with an attorney from the firm, they will be able to thoroughly analyze your case, review police and accidents report, evaluate and if necessary, challenge any witness statements, help determine liability, contact the insurance companies, and advise you of the best course of action to take.

The Importance of Contacting a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

When you are seriously injured in a car accident, make no mistake, it can be an emotionally and physically-trying experience. The attorneys at the firm understand that, which is why they work hard to be the advocate you need. For the past decade, the firm has been successfully representing all manner of clients who found themselves the victim of car accidents.

It does not matter how big or small the accident appears to be, the attorneys at the firm are committed to giving you the kind of representation you need. The attorneys at the firm know how intimidating insurance companies can be when it comes determining liability and rightful compensation. They know insurance adjusters try to bully victims into settling for less or, in some cases pressure them into believing they are in fact liable for the accident and subsequent injuries. That is why the entire firm relentlessly works to defend their clients rights and aggressively fights to see that justice is fully served.

If you have questions about what to do in a car accident, or you need legal representation, contact a Los Angeles car accident attorneyat the firm right away.