Fairhope Car Accident Lawyers
The moments after a car crash in Fairhope are a whirlwind. Your ears are ringing, your passengers are panicking, and you’re wondering just how much damage you should expect. It’s important to stay calm and keep your composure during this stressful time. Any mistakes you make could hurt your claim and prevent you from pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Are you ready to talk about your car accident claim with a personal injury attorney in Fairhope? Call Wilkins, Bankester, Biles & Wynne at 251-928-1915 to schedule a consultation now.
Check Yourself and Your Passengers for Injuries
If there are any serious injuries requiring immediate care, it’s important to identify them right away and get an ambulance to the scene. If there are no serious injuries, still take a mental inventory of any minor injuries you see. They will be included in the police report.
Notify the Authorities
Report the accident to the Fairhope emergency services. They will send out a police officer and possibly an ambulance, depending on whether or not anyone seems to be injured. Stay on the line until help arrives.
Get to a Safe Location
Follow the instructions given to you by the 911 operator or the police officer who arrives on the scene. You may be instructed to move your car if the damage is minor, or you may have to leave your car until it can be towed to a repair shop or junkyard. Either way, you and your passengers will likely need to move out of the roadway to prevent further injuries. Make sure to take out any necessary items, as it may be some time before you have access to the vehicle again.
Gather Evidence
At this point, it’s time to start planning for your future personal injury claim. Evidence only lasts so long, and within a matter of hours, the debris from the accident will be gone. Use this time to take pictures of the crash scene, injuries, and damaged public property. If anyone stopped to offer help, get their contact information as well. Eyewitnesses can be very helpful if the other party denies liability or tries to change their story.
Talk to the Police
Make sure you get a chance to tell the Fairhope police your side of the story. The police report is a great source of information for the insurance companies, and if your retelling of events isn’t included, it could hurt your claim. Stick to the facts, do not apologize, and do not accept responsibility for the accident. Before the police leave, find out how you can get a copy of the accident report when it’s finished. You should also exchange insurance cards and contact information with the other party, and you may want to do so with the police present.
Get Checked Out by a Doctor
You might have a mild headache or some aches and pains, but that doesn’t mean you can skip a doctor’s visit. There are lots of internal injuries that can occur in a car accident, and they may not be immediately visible. Waiting until something is obviously wrong could cause serious health issues for you.
Depending on the type of injuries you have, you may want to go to urgent care or the emergency room. Local urgent care clinics include American Family Care and Urgent Care of Fairhope, and local hospitals include Thomas Hospital and Baldwin Emergency Physicians.
Talk to an Attorney
Your next step is to call an attorney. A personal injury lawyer can help investigate your accident, learn more about your injuries, and find out if you are entitled to compensation. If you are, they will take on the insurance company for you and fight to get a full and fair settlement on your behalf. Make it a priority to talk to an attorney before the other party’s insurance company contacts you—anything you tell the other driver’s insurance provider could harm your personal injury claim.
Find Out How Wilkins, Bankester, Biles & Wynne Can Help You
If you’re ready to get started on your claim, the team at Wilkins, Bankester, Biles & Wynne is here to help you. Schedule a consultation at our Fairhope office by calling 251-928-1915 or contacting us online.
