Whether it’s a fender bender or a more serious crash, car accidents are uniquely disruptive and dangerous incidents. Car crashes can leave you with long-lasting injuries that can impact your life—from the workplace to your routines around the house. That’s why it’s crucial to know what to do after a car accident, not only to ensure your safety but to lay the groundwork for a successful personal injury claim. Here are five steps you should take following a car crash.

Contact the Police

After making sure everyone involved is safe, the first thing to do after a car accident is to contact the police. Calling law enforcement is crucial because it opens an investigation and creates a report of the accident—which will be critical when it comes time to prove which driver was at fault.

Document Evidence of the Scene

In addition to filing a police report, you should also document the accident scene. Take photos of the location, damage to the vehicles and any superficial injuries you may have sustained. AAA also recommends talking to any witnesses to gather as much information as possible about the accident.

Do Not Make Any Deals

It can be tempting to make a quick deal with the other party involved, after all, if they compensate you financially for the damage to your car, isn’t that enough? Unfortunately, you may not be fairly compensated and you might develop injuries or lingering effects that can impact your day-to-day life.

Keep Track of Medical Attention

Injuries can develop in the days and weeks following the incident. Make sure you document any and all medical attention you receive in the aftermath of the crash so that your car accident lawyers have all the information they need to ensure you’re made whole.

Contact Us For a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another motorist, don’t hesitate to contact the car accident lawyers at D’Amico & Pettinicchi. We’ll discuss every aspect of your case and immediately get to work on your behalf—contacting witnesses, examining evidence and leaving no stone unturned to advocate for you.