While car accidents can happen in an instant, the repercussions that it brings to all the people involved can last for a long time. As you try to recover from your traumatic experience and your crash injuries, it is important to revisit the actions that you took during the accident and practice measures that can help safeguard your right to compensation.
Stay at the scene and call 911
After the crash, you must keep your composure and call 911 to ask for emergency assistance. Check yourself for any signs of cuts or bruises. If there are other people hurt in the vicinity, take them to a safe spot and let them know that the paramedics are on the way.
It is important to remember that under West Virginia laws, any car accident that causes an injury, death or over $1,000 in property damage must be reported to the police.
Notify the police
While waiting with the others in a safe spot, call the West Virginia state police to notify them about the accident. If they respond and arrive at the scene, they will start to investigate and gather necessary information about the crash from you and the other party.
Since you were a part of this vehicle crash report, you can call their station to request for a copy of your own. By securing this document as a vital piece of evidence, you help strengthen the statements in your personal injury claim.
Exchange information
Before leaving the scene and going to the hospital, you must ask for the other driver’s contact details and their license plate number. You also need to take various photos and videos of your car, the other party’s car and the scene of the accident.
Additionally, if you own a dashboard camera, make sure to save all the recorded footage and create duplicate copies that you can safely store in your computer.
Seek medical care
Now that you have dealt with the key factors of your car accident, you must go to the hospital to seek treatment for your injuries. No matter how minor you think your injuries are, it is never ideal to just sleep it off and diagnose your post-crash symptoms on your own.
Call your insurance company
While hiring a lawyer is not a requirement for filing your insurance claim, it can be beneficial for your personal injury case. For example, they can notify your insurance company about your accident and help ensure that your rights will not be taken advantage of.
Your path to recovery awaits
By understanding West Virginia’s car accident laws and following the legal process involved, you can file your personal injury claim with ease and focus on your full recovery.