What to Do After a Car Accident

If you have recently been in a car accident, and you are seeking legal advice about your specific situation, we encourage you to contact our New Haven, Connecticut, office for a free and confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Since 1988, the attorneys at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, L.L.C., have provided high-quality and successful legal representation to injured people throughout the state of Connecticut.

As a service to our community, we offer here some general advice on actions to take — and not take — after a car accident.

Call The Police

As soon as possible after an accident, call the police to report the accident. If the dispatcher asks you to wait at the scene, then wait in a safe location.

Do Not Talk About Fault With The Other Driver

You should get contact information and insurance policy numbers from every other person involved in the accident. Get this information about passengers as well as drivers.

Do not, however, make statements to the other driver about whether you were at fault in the accident.

Listen To The Other Driver’s Statements, And Talk To Witnesses

If the other driver wants to talk about how the accident occurred, listen carefully and take notes if possible. If you can identify any witnesses to the accident, try to obtain contact information from those people and ask them to describe what they saw.

Do Not Move Your Car

Wait until the police arrive to move your car, unless its location creates a dangerous situation for yourself or other drivers.

Take Pictures

Before you move your car, and before any other vehicles are moved or towed away, take as many pictures as possible. Take photographs of the cars involved, where each vehicle came to rest, the weather conditions and any relevant road signs or traffic signals. Even photographs taken on cell phones can provide substantial information in many instances.

Get Medical Care

Do not refuse medical treatment, and make sure to obtain a thorough medical evaluation after the accident. After a car accident is no time to minimize your injuries. You should clearly describe all your injuries to your doctor and to any police officers. If you experience new symptoms days — or even weeks — after the accident, seek additional medical attention.

Contact A Lawyer

Do not attempt to reach a settlement agreement without first consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer who will serve as your advocate. Your attorneys’ job is to review all available evidence — including accident reports and medical records — to make sure you obtain complete and fair compensation for your injuries, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Free Consultations 

At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, L.L.C., we handle all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.

To schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers, contact us today. Call 203-865-8430 or send us an email.