If
you get into a car wreck, an injury lawyer in Rapid City SD can help you to get
the compensation you need to pay for your medical expenses, any wages that you
have lost or that you will lose in the future, and other damages. Hiring
the right attorney is important for ensuring that your rights are protected and
you are treated fairly. It is important to note, however, that there are
certain steps that you can take immediately after the wreck, to better ensure
your safety and protect your rights.
- Get to safety.
After you have been hit, take a deep breath and if it is a minor
accident with no injuries consider moving your car to the edge of the road
if you can do so safety. If someone
has been injured or there is major damage to one of the vehicles, consider
leaving your car where it is as the locations of the cars will assist law
enforcement in determining who was at fault. Either way, turn on
your hazard lights / four-way flashers.
- Call the police.
Call the police and report the accident, and let them know that you want
an officer to come to the scene. Let the officer know that you would
like to receive a copy of the Accident Report. As an injury lawyer in Rapid City SD, we always
want to obtain a copy of the Accident Report.
- Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name, address, and telephone
number, as well as his/her insurance information, and driver’s license
number. If there were any witnesses, get their contact information at the
same time.
- Document everything. It can be difficult to remember details after
the fact. As soon as practical, take the time to write a few notes
about what happened before, during and after the accident. Try to
recount every detail, including the weather, the area around you, how fast
you were going, what the other driver did or did not do, what the other
driver’s car looked like, any statements made by the other driver or any
other witness immediately after the wreck, and more. It is also very
important to get photographs of the vehicles before they are repaired. You can also take pictures of the road, any
debris, road signs and anything else that may shed light on what happened.
All you need is your cell phone in order to preserve some of the
details that are frequently lost over time.
- Medical care. If you think that you may have been injured in any way
in the wreck, get checked out by a doctor and follow his/her
recommendations. Following your
doctor’s recommendations is the best road to recovery and, at the same
time, will prevent the other driver’s insurance company from saying that
you are to blame if your pain or symptoms do not subside.
Once
you are safe, call an injury lawyer in Rapid City SD so that we can walk you
through the process of opening an insurance claim and getting your medical
bills and other damages paid for.
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