What to do After a Car Accident in Albuquerque
After a car accident, it can be hard to remember what to do, especially if you are injured or suffering from emotional shock from the accident.
With this in mind, Hurt Call Bert – Parnall Law offers this resource to help you get the information you need that may be beneficial for you later.
6 Things to Do After a Car Accident
These steps can also be used after a New Mexico truck or motorcycle accident.
1. Seek Prompt Medical Attention
Your well-being is always the top priority. After the accident, make sure you and any passengers in the car are okay. Call 911 for emergency help.
If no one in the wreck is seriously injured, seeing a doctor for treatment is still important. Even if you do not feel an injury immediately after the crash, once your adrenaline slows, you may be in a great deal of pain after the accident. Going to the doctor after the crash will help to identify injuries as well as to make sure you are getting treatment for any injuries as soon as possible.
2. Pictures & Witness Contact Information
If you have a smartphone handy or access to a camera, please make sure to take pictures of both the accident scene and all of the vehicles that were in the car accident. At this time, you will also want to make sure you get the names and phone numbers of any person who witnessed the accident. The photos and witness statements are crucial to developing an insurance claim or lawsuit case. If you call us at the scene, we can take photos and get witness contact information.
3. Do Not Discuss the Accident & Insurance Company is Not on Your Side
The insurance company will want to get a hold of you right after the accident to get your statement. Insurance companies are not looking out for your best interest and can twist statements in order to deny you compensation. Having an attorney talk to the insurance company on your behalf allows you to focus on healing after your accident and protects you from the insurance companies.
4. DO NOT sign or release any accident-related documents
As a general rule of thumb, you should not sign any accident-related documents. This could be a release of a claim or a recorded statement.
5. Contact an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney
Call the attorneys at Parnall Law as quickly as possible after your accident. We want to handle the stress so that you have the time to heal and recover. Our attorneys will strengthen your case by collecting and preserving evidence and witness statements or affidavits. Also, it is important to contact the witnesses as soon as possible as they may forget important accident details.
6. File a Police Report within 5 Days of Accident
When you are injured after an accident, many people forget to file a police report immediately following the accident. The police report time limit is 5 days, starting from the time the accident was officially called into law enforcement. “Damages of more than $500, or those resulting in serious injury or death, must be reported immediately or within a reasonable period after the accident provided unnecessary delays are avoided.”
About Hurt Call Bert – Parnall Law
Bert Parnall and the team at Parnall Law are available to answer your questions and discuss your legal needs during a free and confidential consultation. The attorneys at Parnall Law have helped thousands of accident victims obtain proper compensation and move forward with their lives.
For more information, review our FAQs here.
