What to Do After a Car Accident That Is Not Your Fault

Whether you are an experienced driver or you just got your license, any time you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, you must uphold a duty of care to drive in a reasonably safe manner. Unfortunately, the drivers you share the roads with may not uphold this duty and may cause a damaging car accident as a result of negligence. If you were harmed in a car accident due to the negligent actions of another party, you have the right to pursue justice. 

Mask group 15 blue

Written by Auto Accident Team

Key Takeaways
01.

After an accident, move to a safe area, call law enforcement, and seek medical attention, even if injuries are not immediately apparent.

02.

Collect the other driver’s information, take photos, and speak with witnesses to strengthen your personal injury claim.

03.

Obtain medical documentation, which is crucial for proving injuries and supporting your claim.

Jump to Topic

After a car accident that was not your fault, it is important to have knowledgeable support on your side. The Auto Accident Team will connect you with attorneys who are licensed, experienced, and committed to advocating for your best interests. With years of practice, they can help you navigate complex legal processes, ensuring that you do not face the insurance companies alone.

What Steps to Take After a Car Accident

In the moments following a car accident caused by another party, you may be left reeling from the shock of what has occurred. While it can be easy to become overwhelmed, it is important that you remain calm and take a moment to assess the situation and understand what your next steps should be. Your safety is of the utmost importance, so you should ensure that you are pulled over into a safe area as soon as possible after the crash. You should also assess any injuries you may have suffered.

Even if the accident seems minor, you should always contact law enforcement after a car accident. Having law enforcement at the scene will ensure your own safety, as the attending officer will be able to call emergency services if necessary, and it will also result in an official record of the accident being created in the form of a police report. A police report is a crucial piece of evidence for any personal injury claim, as it will contain the date and time of the incident, the contact information of all who were involved, and your statement of events.

What Evidence Should You Collect After a Car Accident You Did Not Cause?

After you have been involved in a car accident caused by another party’s negligent actions, it is crucial that you collect all the key evidence that will play a vital role in helping you build a strong personal injury claim. This evidence can make all the difference when it comes to your ability to recover the best possible compensation for your injuries and losses.z

Some of the types of evidence that you should collect after a car accident include:

  • The Other Driver’s Information: You should try to get the name, contact information, and insurance details from the other driver or other party who was responsible for the car accident that left you injured.
  • Photo and Video Evidence: You should capture photos and videos from any property damage to your car, visible injuries, and the accident scene. You may also obtain security video footage from nearby buildings that may have captured the accident.
  • Speak to Witnesses: If there were witnesses to your car accident, you should ask that they provide you with a brief statement of what they saw occur, along with their contact information.

All of this evidence, along with the police report and your medical bills, will be crucial in ensuring you are able to build a strong personal injury case. 

Why Is It Crucial to Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident?

Typically, the human body will send adrenaline into a person’s bloodstream when a traumatic event occurs. Because of this, it is possible that you may not immediately feel pain or other symptoms of an injury after a car accident. However, whether or not you feel injured after a car crash, it is crucial you still seek an opinion from a medical professional to ensure you are able to get the care you may need.

Aside from ensuring your overall health and well-being are okay after a car accident, seeking medical attention after a crash is also important to the success of your personal injury claim. When you seek medical attention, you will obtain crucial evidence that will be important to your case.

This evidence may include the following:

  • Medical bills
  • Doctor’s notes
  • Treatment plans

This evidence will help support your claim that the car accident is what directly caused your injuries and subsequent losses.

How Can You Prove Liability After Another Party Caused Your Car Accident?

To prove liability in a personal injury claim, your car accident attorney will need to collect evidence of the four elements of negligence.

The four elements of negligence are as follows:

  • The at-fault party owed you a duty of care
  • The duty of care was breached by the at-fault party
  • The breach of duty caused your car accident and any subsequent injuries
  • You suffered losses as a result of their negligent actions

Proving liability is a crucial step in building a strong car accident claim that will allow you to pursue the justice you are owed. 

Who Could Be Liable for a Car Accident?

While every car accident claim is different, there are several factors that can help determine who may be liable for your car accident and losses.

Some common parties found liable for car accident claims include the following:

  • A driver of another car, truck, or motorcycle
  • A passenger in your vehicle or another motor vehicle
  • A pedestrian
  • A government entity
  • The manufacturer or retailer of the car if a vehicle malfunction is what caused the car accident

Regardless of who is found to be liable for your car accident, when you work with the Auto Accident Team, we will connect you with our licensed and local attorney network who can provide you with the support and guidance needed to ensure you are able to pursue the justice you are owed.

Can You Recover Damages After a Car Accident Caused By Another Party?

When you have been injured in a car accident caused by another party, you may be left with serious injuries as a result. The injuries and losses you may have suffered can be costly and lead to financial loss in addition to your other losses. However, you should never have to pay for an accident you did not cause. For that reason, it is crucial you exercise your legal right to pursue justice by filing a personal injury claim.

When you file a personal injury claim, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the injuries and losses caused by the other party’s negligence.

The damages you may be eligible to recover include the following:

  • Medical Expenses: Victims of car accidents should be compensated for the cost of any medical bills they may incurred like surgery costs or hospital stays.
  • Lost Wages: After a car accident has left you injured, it is likely that you may be unable to work while you recover. You should be compensated for all present and future wages you may lose out on as a result of the injuries caused by the car accident.
  • Property Damage: If your property was damaged in a car accident, you should be eligible to recover compensation for the cost to repair or replace it.
  • Pain and Suffering: Victims of car accidents typically suffer both physical and emotional injuries. For that reason, you should be compensated for any pain and suffering you have had to endure as a result of the other party’s negligence.

When you work with a qualified attorney that we will connect you with through our network, they will negotiate for the fair compensation you are owed.

Turn to The Auto Accident Team After a No-Fault Accident

After a car accident that was not your fault, navigating the legal process can be overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. The Auto Accident Team is dedicated to connecting you with licensed attorneys who can advocate for your rights. These attorneys have years of experience helping victims understand their legal options and fight for the justice they may be owed. Whether you are facing medical bills, property damage, or lost wages, having skilled legal guidance on your side is essential.

Do not wait to take action, as the insurance company will begin building its defense immediately. By contacting the Auto Accident Team, you may be able to improve your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Start by calling (877) 236-2391 or filling out the contact form.

Search