Whether they are big or small, a car collision is always an unpleasant experience that can disrupt your home and work life for weeks or even months. If you were injured in a car accident in Charlotte, it can feel overwhelming and frightening, but if you remember the steps to take after a crash, you can put yourself in a much better position.
Contact EMS After a Car Accident
If there were serious injuries, you should contact emergency services to provide medical assistance. After a car accident, victims can experience a rush of adrenaline that can overshadow concussions, whiplash, and even fractured bones in the heat of the moment. If you decline EMS transportation at the scene, you should still have a plan for how to get to an emergency room, urgent care, or your primary doctor if your condition worsens. Likewise, if your car is still drivable after a collision, you should only attempt to drive it if you feel well enough to do so.
Contact the Police and Obtain a Crash Report
If there was property damage to your vehicle or injuries, it is important to notify the police so that they can take an official report of what happened in the accident and obtain insurance information from the other driver. Crash reports can be critical in locating witnesses and in showing which parties or drivers were at fault for the car accident down the road.
If a Charlotte police officer arrived at the scene of your accident, they should provide you with a driver exchange form. The driver exchange form will contain information about the accident date, the insurance policies of the drivers, and the crash report number that can be used to locate your crash report when it is ready. Typically, it will take around three to five business days for a crash report to be finalized.
Once you have a copy of your crash report, you can use the NC DMV-349 key to read your Charlotte crash report.
Contact a Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer
After obtaining the insurance information from a crash report, you can file your Charlotte, NC car accident claim with the insurance company of the at-fault driver. What is important to remember is that insurance companies and adjusters actively look for reasons to deny liability and to decline reimbursing medical bills and wages. Many injured people have been denied coverage after their accident because of statements and unnecessary disclosures that they made to a “friendly” insurance adjuster. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you avoid these pitfalls and can let you know what your rights are to have your medical bills, lost wages, and injuries covered.
If you or a loved one were injured in a Charlotte car accident and need help, call our Charlotte car accident lawyer today at (888) 988-6613 for a free consultation.