What Should I Do if I Was Injured in a Car Accident in Alabama?

After you’re in a car accident, there are many potential outcomes; you may be able to get compensation to cover everything you need, or you may not have enough proof to show the other party was at fault. Making sure to get yourself medical treatment and keep good records of everything that happens can help ease the process of getting you compensation after car accident injuries.

While you may be concerned about the damage to your car, the most important part is any damage to your body. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, make sure to take the following steps and to talk to a personal injury attorney about your case. The Montgomery car accident attorneys at the Morrison Law Firm, LLC, may be able to take your case and help you get compensated for your car accident injuries.

First Steps after a Car Accident in Montgomery

The very first thing to do after a car accident is to get to safety. If you were involved in a crash on the highway or a dark backroad, you may need to move yourself and your car to safety. If you are able to, clear the road and get yourself to a safe, well-lit location. If others in your car need help getting to safety, do the best you can to help them. If they are severely injured, you may not want to move them until emergency medical services arrive.

Next, you should always call 9-1-1. If you were involved in an accident with personal injuries, Alabama law requires you to report the accident if there was injury or death, or over $250 worth of property damage. Calling 9-1-1 means police can create a report of the accident. It also means that they may be able to take pictures of the accident scene, write their own notes and reports, and possibly testify about the accident later, if the case needs to go to court. Additionally, calling for an ambulance can help get medical treatment faster.

If you were injured in the accident, seek medical help. Do not refuse help if you think you might be injured, even if the accident was not that severe or the injuries seem light. More severe injuries may take some time to become noticeable or have less than obvious symptoms. Especially traumatic brain injuries and concussions, or neck and back injuries like whiplash, may take some time to become obvious. If you seek medical treatment immediately, these conditions can be ruled out.

You should also collect as much evidence as you can about the accident. If you are too injured to do so, focus on your injuries first. You may be able to recover much of this information from police, later. If you can, have someone you trust get information for you. The pieces of information you may need (and may need to give the other drivers) are:

• The names, contact information (address and phone number) of anyone involved – including witnesses;
• Drivers’ license numbers for all drivers;
• License plate and vehicle information (make, model, etc.) for all cars involved; and
• Insurance for all drivers involved.

You may also want to collect information about the accident scene, including:

• The location and nearest crossroads of the accident scene;
• The lighting conditions and locations of any nearby lighting fixtures (e.g. streetlights);
• Weather and road conditions; and
• Nearby buildings, fixtures, etc. – including potential security cameras.

Ultimately, any information you can record may be helpful.

Keep Photographs, Records, and Evidence from Car Accidents

The key to getting the best compensation the law may allow is to have good evidence and documentation of the accident. The information above may help with your initial reporting of the accident, and some of those details are incredibly important to proving your case. However, juries ultimately need something they can relate to and understand. For this reason, getting the following information may really help your car accident injury case.

First, get as many pictures of the scene as you can. Sometimes, taking pictures may be easier than taking notes, especially for insurance cards, license plate numbers, and smaller details. Get photos of anything you can at the scene, including:

• Wide shots of the entire accident scene, with relative locations of the cars;
• Close-up shots of any property damage or physical injuries;
• Pictures of each car involved, with any license plates or identifying insignia showing;
• Pictures of the roadway and surrounding objects and road conditions; etc.

Keep in mind that a judge and jury may use these pictures later to piece together the accident scene. That means taking pictures that are clear, well-lit, and show what happened.

Additionally, good records can help win a case. Get copies of any receipts or bills from medical treatment and other expenses related to the accident. If you can, keep a journal of your personal experiences with pain and suffering after the crash. If you cannot write any notes down, you may be able to use your cell phone to capture a video journal. This can be helpful in court to explain to a jury, in your own words, how the injuries affected you.

Montgomery Car Accident Lawyers

For a free consultation on your car accident case, contact the Montgomery, Alabama personal injury attorneys at the Morrison Law Firm today. Our attorneys may be able to help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering after a car accident. Call today for your free consultation at (334) 625-6128.