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If you get hurt in a car accident, a personal injury attorney can help you pursue compensation for the resulting damages. To give your case the highest chance of success, however, you must take certain steps in the immediate aftermath of an accident and in the weeks that follow. Here’s what you should do.

4 Steps to Take After a Car Accident

1. Call the Police

The other motorist may try to convince you to leave law enforcement out of it; however, the insurance company will inevitably require a copy of the official police report to process your claim. Also, responding officers will direct traffic away from the scene, interview eyewitnesses, and conduct any necessary chemical tests.

2. Gather Information

Before leaving the area, exchange all relevant contact information and insurance details with the other motorists involved. Also, get the names and phone numbers of any eyewitnesses so that your attorney can obtain their testimony when building a case. Finally, make a note of the names and badge numbers of all responding officers so that you can locate their report quickly.

3. Photograph the Area

attorneyIf the injuries you sustained are neither life-threatening nor debilitating, walk around the scene after the police have rerouted traffic and photograph the wreckage. Capture both small details like skid marks and larger details like weather conditions. An accident reconstruction expert can review these images to piece together what might’ve happened in the moments before the crash.

4. Seek Medical Care

Visit a doctor as soon as possible after leaving the scene. Even if you’re feeling OK, you might’ve sustained impact injuries that have latent symptoms, such as whiplash or even brain damage. Seeking medical care right away also demonstrates a commitment to mitigating damages later during the claims process.

 

If you sustained serious injuries in a collision, turn to the car accident attorneys at Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Associates, LLC. Located in La Crosse, WI, this personal injury firm has recovered more than $90 million for their valued clients. The largest firm in the area, their team is backed by experience, and they're proud to serve injured parties throughout all of western Wisconsin. To request a free case review with one of their attorneys, reach out online or call (877) 784-1230.

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