Were you involved in an auto accident and not sure how to proceed next?
Don’t worry. It’s normal because the pain and shock of an accident are traumatic.

The effects are even worse if the accident occurred for no fault of yours. However, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything; here’s what you should do.

Call the Police

It doesn’t matter how severe or minor the accident. The first thing you have to do is call the police. Don’t try working things out with the other driver on your own, even if they don’t’ want to involve anyone.

Tell the responding office the truth, and let them decide who’s at fault in the report.

Besides, an official police report will prove helpful in holding the other driver accountable if you aren’t at fault. It also helps speed up your insurance claims process.

Gathering the following information at the accident scene helps you move through the insurance claim process:

• The other driver’s name, policy, and contact information
• The other driver’s passengers’ and witnesses names and contact information
• The responding officer’s badge number, name, and contact details
• The other car’s make, model, and color
• Photos of both cars

Don’t discuss the accident with the other driver.

Also jot down any accident details you remember, like weather conditions, crash location, and the direction each car was traveling.

Call Your Insurance Company

You need to call your auto insurance company to learn what coverage you have for personal injury, medical expenses, and damages. The insurance company will pay for your repairs and medical bills and then work at collecting compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance.

You may have to directly sue the at-fault driver if you suffer from severe injuries. Especially if you end up with bills costing more than your insurance coverage.

You can also file a third-party claim with the other driver’s insurance company. They will pay for your car repairs upon determining their driver was at fault.

Consult Your Doctor

You must consult your doctor after an auto accident, even if there’s no pain or visible injuries. The adrenalin released by accident can mask any pain and symptoms immediately after the crash.

But the pain and symptoms usually end up manifesting themselves after several hours or days.

Besides, your doctor can identify internal injuries and fractures, which may at times be life-threatening if not immediately diagnosed and treated.

The Recovery Process

The recovery process starts once you make it through the above steps. It involves car repairs, your recovery, and hiring an attorney.

Your car repairs may take weeks, especially if there’s extensive damage. Make sure you keep all repair documents, receipts to ensure you receive proper compensation for the accident damages.

You may require a few weeks or months to recover from any injuries you have. Ensure you collect all medical care-related documents like medical bills, physician notes and orders, imaging studies, and prescription labels. It’s this paperwork that ensures you receive your rightfully deserved compensation.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Auto accidents can get traumatic for your emotional, physical, mental, and financial health. Follow your doctor’s orders, eat, drink and rest well so that you have a better recovery.

Hire an Experienced Burbank Auto Accident Attorney

Having a good lawyer by your side will have an integral role in ensuring your win. They know your state and local laws and will use them to help get you your rightfully deserved compensation.

They will handle talking with the insurance companies so that you don’t agree to lower compensation. And most importantly, an auto accident lawyer in Burbank will represent you at court so that you focus solely on your recovery.