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Steps to Take After a Laguna Hills Car Accident
Getting into a car accident in Laguna Hills can be an extremely disorienting experience. It can be difficult, in the shock of the moment, to know what to do. While California’s roads and highways are known to be busy, few people understand the proper protocol if they are involved in a collision. The ability to act quickly is not only essential to minimizing the negative impact, it is also key to helping you obtain fair compensation for your injuries.
It is common knowledge that insurance claims adjusters will work to ensure you are paid as little as possible. To combat this, there are a few steps that are essential to take following a Laguna Hills car accident. Contacting an experienced car accident attorney is an important step to take.
Assessing the Situation
If able, the first step is to try to account for all passengers and determine who is conscious and if they or their passengers have any visible injuries. They should see if they can move their car and, if they are in the middle of the road, pull over to the side to avoid causing further traffic accidents.
When Should Someone Call 911?
Even if they do not appear to be injured, it is imperative that they seek medical attention as early as possible. Doing so can mean the difference between life and death, paralysis and mobility, and a host of other complications.
Many times, injured individual’s bodies may not register the shock and pain of an injury until the next day, and internal injuries are also a real possibility. Additionally, calling 911 starts the process of obtaining records of their injuries, so they may accurately report a claim to the at-fault party’s insurance provider.
Should an Injured Person Exchange Insurance Information?
A person would be wise to exchange insurance information with all drivers involved in a car accident in Laguna Hills. Drivers are told to keep proof of insurance on hand, but if, for some reason, they do not have it, they may be able to bring some to the police station within 24 hours.
While they are expected to provide the name and number of their insurance provider, they should be wary of providing too much information such as their personal contact information and their driver’s license number.
Disclosing this latter piece of information is akin to giving someone their Social Security Number. Just as important as the first steps to take after a car accident in Laguna Hills, are the missteps to avoid.
Gathering Information
One of the reasons someone should not admit fault is because accidents happen so quickly, they may think they are responsible when really, the accident was caused by a factor they may not have noticed.
If there are witnesses around, someone should try to get their perspective on what happened. Similarly, they would be wise to take photographs if at all possible. Images that show the road conditions, the weather, their visible injuries, and the state of their car, can help them in obtaining just compensation.
Contacting an Attorney
A person should inform their insurance company and they should speak with a car accident attorney in Laguna Hills following an accident. A legal professional who understands Laguna Hills’ laws can help them see that they obtain everything they deserve from insurance providers, nothing less. They should also make sure to keep documentation.
Police reports, medical records, and, of course, other drivers’ insurance information, are instrumental in making sure they receive adequate compensation for all of their injury-related expenses.
If you are faced with a car accident in Laguna Hills, keep in mind the first steps to take after a Laguna Hills car accident. For further information, contact a Laguna Hills car accident attorney.