Time is of the essence in car accident cases, significantly influencing the outcome of the intricate legal processes. 

It is crucial to take immediate steps after an accident to preserve your legal rights. 

After a car accident in Philadelphia, you mustn’t make any rash decisions. 

Car collisions can be overwhelmingly stressful. It is of paramount significance to put yourself in the best possible position to receive the justice and compensation you deserve. 

It’s advisable to seek guidance from a car accident lawyer in Philadelphia immediately after an accident. 

The Steps To Take After A Car Accident 

The following steps will help you make intelligent decisions after an auto accident, whether you are the innocent victim, or partially at fault for causing the collision: 

Call 911

Call 911 to report the accident. Don’t rely on others to report it. 

Calling 911 after an accident ensures injured parties in an accident receive immediate medical attention. Calling 911 ensures official documentation of the accident by law enforcement. 

Once you provide all the essential information to the 911 dispatcher, they will send the police to the scene. The dispatcher may also send a medical team, if necessary.

Call 911 even if there are no injuries.

Car accidents can cause traffic jams or pose numerous dangers to other road users. Law enforcement can help manage the traffic and prevent further incidents from occurring. 

Report The Accident 

Pennsylvania law requires you to remain at the crash scene if there are damages to vehicles or if the accident causes injuries. 

Try to get out of harm’s way by moving yourself and your vehicle to a safe area. 

If a driver involved in an accident leaves the scene without providing their information, they may be liable for causing a hit-and-run accident. Leaving the accident scene without providing information in Pennsylvania can incur criminal charges. It’s critical to exchange information with the other parties to the accident, such as contact details, insurance, and vehicle information.

The Pennsylvania statute  Pa.C.S.A. Vehicles § 3747 requires you to report any crash that results in the following:

Severe injury to any of the drivers, passengers, or third parties

The death of any party

Damage that renders any of the vehicles undrivable

In accidents involving no injuries, the police may not respond. In such cases, involved parties can report the accident at the nearest police station or file an online report within five days of the accident. 

The Police Crash Information Sheet (DOC) provides all the information you need to collect for completing the formal Crash Report online. 

Get A Copy Of The Police Report

Once the police arrive, they will assess the accident scene to determine if any immediate hazards exist, such as fires, debris, or hazardous material spills. 

The responding officer will then collect information from the parties involved and investigate the accident scene. 

The officer will make a police report containing their assessment of the scene. The officer’s assessment provides an unbiased, third-party view of the collision.

The contents of a police report include: 

Location of the wreck 

Date and time of the wreck

Details about the property damage to the vehicle(s) involved

A description of the injuries suffered by any parties

Statements of witnesses and involved parties

Information on citations issued, if any

The police report may or may not determine liability.  

It is essential to get a copy of the police report. 

Filing a police report with your insurance company can protect your legal rights and prove your injuries and damages during the claims process. 

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Seeking prompt medical treatment after a wreck is vital to protect your health, as well as securing compensation by way of a future insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. 

A doctor will perform an extensive exam to determine if you have any potential injuries. 

Doctors, especially those familiar with treating accident victims, know how to detect injuries that you may not have even noticed. 

X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, ultrasounds, or MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) can detect everything from an internal bleed in the brain to a fracture to a ruptured organ and much more. 

Seeking immediate medical attention 

establishes the link between your injuries and the accident. 

You must adhere to the recommendations for follow-up care and treatment plans of your treating doctors. 

A record of your medical appointments and prescribed treatment plans can be used as evidence in your case. 

Collect Evidence From The Crash Site

A car accident claim’s strength can hinge on the quality of evidence available.

In the chaotic aftermath of a wreck, it’s critical to stay calm and focus on compiling and preserving evidence.

It is significant to collect and preserve evidence to the extent that you can do so. 

Take images of the accident scene, prevailing road conditions, road and safety signs in the vicinity of the collision, your injuries, vehicles and any other damaged property, skid marks, road debris that might have been present before the accident, and the location of red light and security cameras. 

Contact A Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer 

A Philadelphia personal injury lawyer specializing in car accidents can guide you through the intricate claims process, collect compelling evidence, and negotiate with insurers to secure fair compensation for your injuries and other damages. 

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a Philadelphia car accident due to someone else’s negligence, seek prompt medical attention first, and then contact a local Philadelphia car accident lawyer to schedule a free case evaluation.

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