Recovering after a car accident can be a challenge, but by proactively preparing yourself and learning what to do if an accident happens, you can maximize your recovery and get back on your feet faster.

Follow the steps below to ensure you don’t miss a crucial step after getting into a car accident, and schedule a free consultation with our Nova Scotia lawyers if you’ve been injured. If you have been hurt or your property has been damaged due to someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket to recover from these high expenses.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Right Away If You Are Injured

Making sure that you are healthy and safe is of the utmost importance after an accident. If you have been involved in a car accident and became injured afterward, don’t assume that your injuries are minor. Even cuts, bruises, bumps and scrapes can be an indicator of a more serious injury.

Seek medical attention right away to ensure that you’re safe. The only way to be properly certain that you’re in stable condition is to consult with a medical professional. Plus, the only way to make sure your injuries are properly documented is to do so at the hospital or with a doctor. For example, if you fail to go to the hospital with back pain after a car accident, and a week later the problem becomes more serious, there’s no way to tie the injury back to your car accident.

Step 2: Get Contact And Insurance Information From The Other Party

If you have been involved in a car, motorcycle or truck accident, the other party involved has a responsibility to provide you with their contact information and insurance information. Always be sure to get their name, phone number and email address as well as the name of their insurance carrier and contact information for their specific insurance agent if possible.

Step 3: Take Photos And Collect Evidence

Keeping clear, detailed records of important evidence will come in hand when it comes time to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are many different forms of evidence that can be collected from the scene of the crime, safely.

Be sure to take out your cell phone and take as many photos as you can of the accident. If the accident occurred at night time, use flash to illuminate the scene and get as clear of a photo as you can. Take photos of the damage done to your vehicle and your person, if possible. If any of your personal property has become damaged in the vehicle, take a photo of that as well. If there are street signs that indicate how fast the cars should have been doing, this can serve as evidence too. Roadsigns, streetlights, potholes, and evidence of any inclement weather are all strong photographs to take to paint the picture of the accident to your lawyer.

Step 4: File A Police Report

It’s important to remember to call the authorities and file a police report regarding your accident. Formally filing a report is the best way to ensure the accident is properly documented and that local law enforcement is aware of the accident.

Additionally, always call law enforcement promptly to ensure the safety of you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road after the accident. Law enforcement officials will provide traffic cones, flares or other signage to ensure that the accident isn’t a distraction to anyone else that’s driving.

Step 5: Call A Halifax Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident that occurred due to someone’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to pay for that treatment out of pocket. By scheduling a free consultation with a car accident attorney, you can learn what options you have to get justice and receive compensation to pay for your expenses. A car accident attorney can help you get compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Wrongful death
  • And more

Not all Halifax attorneys offer a free, no obligation consultation to injured car accident victims, but McKiggan Hebert Lawyers does. In your initial consultation, we take the time to listen to your concerns and hear what you’re struggling with. If it makes sense to file a personal injury claim, we’ll assess the details and the evidence and create a strong case that asserts your right to compensation for what you have endured.

Call our Halifax lawyers today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with one of our trusted, hardworking car accident lawyers.