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First Steps Following an Auto Accident

Dec. 3, 2019

You’ve been in an auto accident! You were wearing your seatbelt. You weren’t on your phone (and yes, the insurance defense attorney may very well ask this question). It was sudden and violent. You weren’t at fault. What do you do next?

  • First, you need to make sure that you are in a safe place. Remaining calm and pulling your car off to the side of the road if possible. Be aware of your surroundings and the potential for any potential secondary dangers such as fire or traffic caused by accident obstruction.

  • Take a moment to assess whether you or your passengers have any injuries. If there are any injuries, call emergency services and wait for medical attention. If there are no injuries, contact local law enforcement to file an accident report. Contacting law enforcement is a vital step in making sure that the facts of the accident are documented for the insurance companies. You want a clear record so the at-fault party’s insurance will accept liability for your property damage and injuries.

  • The Arizona Automobile Association, more commonly known as AAA, recommends taking photos of the damage to the vehicle, the location, people involved as well as any visible injuries you have sustained. You will also want to exchange information including names, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses, vehicle information, driver license numbers, insurance carriers, and policy numbers.

  • Finally, and very importantly, if you have not sought emergency medical treatment at the scene of the accident, it is vital that you seek immediate attention following the accident at your local emergency room or urgent care facility. At the time of the accident, you may not have begun to feel the effects of the accident but as the adrenaline wears off, you may very well begin to notice injury symptoms. In addition, medical professionals know the signs and symptoms of injuries that you may not yet know you have such as traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, shoulder injuries, and knee injuries.

The experienced personal injury attorneys at Simmons & Greene, P.C. are here to guide you through the recovery process, allowing you to heal while we take care of all communication with the insurance companies.