Car accidents are far more prevalent than most people care to admit, and if you get behind the wheel every day, you may find yourself in a collision at some point. A personal injury attorney like Marc D. Orloff, Attorney At Law of Goshen, NY, will help you pursue damages if you’re ever in a crash that is not your fault. He wants you to know you can protect your best interests by doing everything right following the collision.

Here are seven things you must do after a car accident:

• Stop: Leaving the scene of an accident could be a considered a felony if the crash resulted in bodily injury to a pedestrian, motorist, or passenger.
• Move To Safety: If possible, pull out of traffic and put on your hazard lights to warn other motorists you are stopped.
• Call The Police: If anyone involved in the crash sustained injuries, call 911 immediately. If the accident merely resulted in property damage, it is still critical you call the police because you will need a police report to file your insurance claim.
• Take Photos: If you are well enough to do so, take photos of the scene of the accident. These could prove invaluable later, when your personal injury attorney is helping you build your case. If you have any visible injuries or if there is obvious property damage, make sure you document those, as well.
• Exchange Information: Police may gather the information of everyone involved in the accident, but you should take your own notes, too, to ensure you have the other parties’ contact information when you need it. Get addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information before leaving the scene. If there were any witnesses, get their contact information, as well.
• Report The Collision: Notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as you are well enough to do so. This will also be a good time to go over your coverage and determine just how much is at stake if certain aspects, like hospital bills, are not covered.  
• Start A File: As soon as you get home, start a file and keep it in a safe place. It should contain all documentation you have regarding the accident. Don’t forget to add all receipts for medical care as you accumulate them.

Car accidents are rarely simple, even when there is little to no property damage. Call a personal injury attorney as soon as you can after a collision to start building your case.

If you sustained injuries in an accident that was not your fault, turn to Marc D. Orloff, Attorney At Law in Goshen, NY. Visit his website to learn more about his areas of practice, including workers’ compensation and medical malpractice, and call (845) 294-8974 to schedule an initial consultation with a personal injury attorney today.