First Steps Following A Personal Injury Auto Accident

Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident in Orange County?

The first steps following a personal injury auto accident will depend on the severity of the injuries caused by that automobile accident. In the event the auto accident causes severe personal injury, the steps start with medical attention and medical documentation for that personal injury. For severe injuries, medical attention and documentation for injuries is obtained via ambulance from the scene and the hospital emergency room. However, for an auto accident personal injury that is less severe, the steps start with obtaining the appropriate legal documentation at the scene of the accident. This page will help you with the first steps following a personal injury auto accident.

First Steps Following A Personal Injury Auto Accident, Non-Emergency Injuries:

When you have been involved in a personal injury auto accident where emergency medical treatment is not necessary, these are the first steps:

1. Call 911: Call the police and request that the local police department or the county sheriff send out an officer to the scene of the accident. This is very important because the police officer will take legal documentation of the accident, including witness statements, party information, insurance information and registration information of the parties involved in the auto accident.

2. Collect Legal Documentation: Make sure that you request that the officer take a police report when the officer arrives at the scene of the accident. Be sure to get a document from the officer that references the police report number and how to retrieve that police report. In the even the officer refuses to take a police report, be sure to collect all appropriate documentation. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: Personal information of all other driver's in the collision, personal information of any witnesses not involved in the collision, license plate numbers of all cars involved in the collision, and the insurance and driver's license information of all driver's involved in the collision. This legal documentation will ease in your pursuit of bringing claims against the driver responsible for the accident and their car insurance company.

3. Seek legal counsel: Call a trusted lawyer immediately, before speaking to any insurance company, including yours. Engage that auto accident lawyer and have them contact all the insurance companies on your behalf. Do not give a recorded statement and do not talk to anyone about the nature and extent of your injuries except for medical professionals.

4. Seek medical attention and medical documentation: If you have medical insurance, it is safe to use it. However, it is best to seek medical attention from the appropriate medical professional who will accurately document your personal injury auto accident case. These doctors know how to correctly document personal injury so that your case stands up in a court of law. If you do not have medical insurance, many doctors will treat you in exchange for a lien against any moneys you receive from your case. The ability to receive treatment even without insurance is extremely valuable for your health and your personal injury auto accident case. It allows you to get the necessary medical attention and documentation even if you cannot pay for such treatment out of pocket.

First Steps Following A Personal Injury Auto Accident, Emergency Injuries:

Where following a personal injury auto accident you need emergency medical attention, the order of the first steps will be different. These are the first steps in an medical emergency situation:

1. Call 911, or have another call 911 for you: Request a police officer and an ambulance to the scene. If a hospital visit is necessary, you or a loved one will be escorted to the nearest emergency room for medical attention.

2. Collect Legal Documentation: Have a family member or close friend come to the scene of the accident to collect appropriate legal documentation in your place. Make sure they collect all the pertinent information outlined above.

3. Seek legal counsel: In the event you are not well enough to have an interview with an attorney yourself, make sure you do not have an interview with the insurance company either. Wait until you are well enough, then seek legal counsel immediately. You should enlist the help of a family member or close friend in the event you are not feeling up the task of finding good representation. Finding good representation in serious personal injury auto accident cases is extremely important.

4. Seek ongoing medical attention and medical documentation: When you have become stable enough to leave the emergency room, you need to seek ongoing medical attention and documentation of your injuries. This is extremely important for your health and for the strength of your personal injury auto accident case against the person responsible for the car accident. Seek the advice of your attorney regarding finding a qualified medical professional to treat you, regardless of whether you have health insurance or not. If you do not have health insurance, many doctors will treat you in exchange for a lien on money you may eventually recover in your auto accident injury case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, you should seek advice and help from experienced and trusted attorney Alexander Napolin. Mr. Napolin is available to consult with you for free when you call him at 1 (714) 265-7526 or send in a case evaluation form for a free call back at AutoAccidentInjuryOC.com. Mr. Napolin will speak with you free of charge and there is no obligation to hire him when you call for your free legal consultation. And. since all auto accident cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, you pay no attorneys fees up front. Instead, you only pay at the end if you win or settle your case! Do not go without necessary legal representation, call Mr. Napolin today for free!