IF POSSIBLE, DRIVE YOUR CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC AND DETERMINE IF THERE ARE INJURIES Put your hazards or blinking lights on and indicate to the other driver that you’re pulling off the road so you won’t cause another accident to occur. Once your car is safely on the shoulder of the road, see if anyone in your car is injured.

CALL 911 Even if no one appears to have been hurt, and whether or not you think you were at fault, call 911 and tell them where you are, how many vehicles were involved, and if there are any injuries.

STAY WITH YOUR CAR Unless an ambulance arrives to take you directly to the hospital, stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive.

DO NOT POST PHOTOS, VIDEOS, OR TEXT ON SOCIAL MEDIA Many cases have been profoundly affected by the photos, texts, and videos that drivers have posted after their accident. Don’t do it.

GATHER INFORMATION If you’re not injured, see if the driver/passengers in the other car are injured. If not, take a photo of the driver’s license and insurance card or write down the name of the insurance company and policy number. Write down names of passengers. Take photos of the damage, make, model, and license plate number of all cars involved; and of weather and traffic conditions that may have affected the accident. Get witnesses’ contact information.

ALLOW THE POLICE TO FULLY INVESTIGATE AND MAKE SURE THEY WRITE A REPORT Don’t discuss or apologize for what happened with anyone. The police often investigate as soon as they arrive. Tell them what you saw and experienced and let them draw conclusions. You will be given a copy of the police report before they leave the scene of the accident. If the other driver was reluctant to show an ID or insurance card, the police will get that information from them.

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT Insurance companies love to minimize your injuries by saying you weren’t hurt badly enough to immediately seek medical evaluation and treatment. Listen to your body and make sure to seek follow up care for any persistent aches, pains, and limitations.

CONTACT YOUR OWN INSURANCE COMPANY Similar to your conversation with the police, call your insurance company to report the wreck and initiate a claim. Stick to just providing the factual details of what happened. If an insurance adjuster calls you to ask for a recorded statement, contact an attorney immediately before you agree to give a recorded statement to any insurance company.

DO NOT SPEAK TO THE OTHER DRIVER’S INSURANCE COMPANY OR SIGN ANY DOCUMENTS You are not required to speak with the other driver’s insurance company. Don’t do it – it can only work against you. And certainly do not sign any sort of agreement or promise of payment for the damage to your car or any injuries you’ve sustained.

CONTACT A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY QUICKLY Leave it to the professionals to straighten out the legal aspect of the car accident. Remember: you pay nothing unless you win your case. The sooner you hire your own attorney and share everything you remember about the accident with total honesty, the CLICK HERE TO PRINT. better it is for your case and your outcome. Don’t try to manage your case on your own.

CALL 911 If you lost consciousness after your fall, or feel as if you’ve been injured, call 911 right away. Do not attempt to get up without assistance.

FILE OR DOCUMENT AN INCIDENT REPORT WITH THE FACILITY Ask the facility for a copy.

WAIT FOR MEDICAL HELP TO ARRIVE Only a medical professional can tell if you’ve been seriously injured.

WHILE YOU WAIT FOR THE POLICE OR EMT, TAKE PHOTOS TO DOCUMENT THE ACCIDENT Photograph the floor where you slipped, or the object you tripped on, as well as your injury.

DO NOT POST PHOTOS, VIDEOS, OR TEXT ON SOCIAL MEDIA Many cases have been negatively affected by the photos, texts, and videos that they have posted after their accidents. Don’t do it. And while you’re at it, don’t share photos or videos with anyone.

GATHER WITNESSES’ INFORMATION If anyone witnessed your accident, (ask them to stay while you wait for the emergency crew and) get their story as well as their contact information.

PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE CLOTHING AND SHOES YOU WERE WEARING Traces of whatever you slipped or tripped on may be left on your clothing, or perhaps blood from your injury. Either could be important evidence for your case, so put them in a protective covering for future use as possible evidence.

CONTACT A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY QUICKLY Leave it to the professionals to manage the legal aspect of your accident. Don’t try to handle your case on your own. Remember: you pay nothing unless you win your case. The sooner you hire an attorney the better it is for your case and your outcome.

SEE A DOCTOR Depending upon the severity of your injury or reaction to a medication or procedure, either see a doctor or go to a hospital immediately. Do not give a written or verbal statement regarding your injury; it could work against you.

TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR INJURIES Though medical records are essential to prove the severity of your injuries, photos of your injuries explain what words cannot – how serious the injuries were and how frightening. It’s up to you to visually document your injuries as well as your recovery. Ask a friend to help you.

TAKE PICTURES OF THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT Also take photos of the scene where the accident took place and the product that caused the injuries. If there is evidence to be documented where the accident took place, like blood, photograph that, too.

GATHER WITNESSES’ INFORMATION If anyone witnessed your accident, either get their contact information or ask them to stay while you wait for the emergency medical crew and police.

DO NOT POST PHOTOS, VIDEOS, OR TEXT ON SOCIAL MEDIA Many cases have been profoundly affected by the photos, texts, and videos that accident victims have posted after an accident. Don’t do it – it can be used against you.

DO NOT LAUNDER THE CLOTHES YOU WERE WEARING It’s possible that traces of chemicals from the defective product or blood from your injury are left on your clothing. Either could be important evidence for your case, so don’t wash them until your case is settled.

CONTACT A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY QUICKLY Leave it to the professionals to manage the legal aspect of your accident. Don’t try to handle your case on your own. Remember: you pay nothing unless you win your case. The sooner you hire an attorney and share everything you remember about the accident, the better it is for your case.

SEE A DOCTOR If the bite wound is bleeding, wrap it with a clean towel and go to a medical clinic. If the wound is bleeding heavily, call 911 immediately. The police will also likely show up to investigate. If the police do not show up or if you go to a clinic, call the police and report the incident.

IDENTIFY OR CONTACT THE DOG’S OWNER The dog’s owner often lives nearby. You need to identify the owner or you will not be able to file a lawsuit to reimburse your medical expenses, or find out if the dog has had shots for rabies. If you cannot identify the dog’s owner, call animal control.

TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR INJURIES Though medical records are essential to prove the severity of your injuries, photos of your injuries explain what words cannot: how serious and frightening the injuries were. Visually document your injuries, your recovery, and evidence like blood or clothing. Ask a friend to help.

GATHER WITNESSES’ INFORMATION If anyone witnessed your accident, either get their contact information or ask them to stay while you wait for the emergency medical crew and police.

DO NOT POST PHOTOS, VIDEOS, OR TEXT ON SOCIAL MEDIA Many cases have been profoundly affected by the photos, texts, and videos that accident victims have posted after an accident. Don’t do it.

CONTACT YOUR OWN INSURANCE COMPANY Tell your insurance company what you experienced and set up a claim number. You do not have to provide a recorded statement however, and are not required to speak with an Insurance Adjuster.

DO NOT LAUNDER THE CLOTHES YOU WERE WEARING It’s possible that traces of information are left on your clothing, or perhaps blood from your injury. Either could be important evidence for your case, so don’t wash them until your case is settled.

CONTACT A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY QUICKLY Leave it to the professionals to manage the legal aspect of your accident. Don’t try to handle your case on your own. Remember: you pay nothing unless you win your case. The sooner you hire an attorney the better it is for your case and your outcome.