No matter where you are, the scene of a car accident can be a very stressful place. From damage to your vehicle, or worse, injury to you or a passenger, there is much to evaluate. So knowing how to handle a car accident scene before you’re involved in a car crash can be crucial in assuring the safety of you and anyone else involved.
Like anywhere else in the country, Wilkes-Barre has its share of car accidents, hit and runs, and pedestrian accidents. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Luzerne County was in the top 10 counties in the state for traffic crash fatalities in 2020.
If you have been injured in a car accident, you should not suffer alone. Car accidents can cause severe damage and an experienced car accident attorney can help in your recovery. Contact a Wilkes-Barre car accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation.
What Are Five Things You Must Do at an Accident Scene?
Right after you’ve been in a car wreck, your adrenaline is flowing, which may cause you to react in ways you would not normally. It’s essential to try and stay calm. Car accidents in Wilkes-Barre can bring injuries you may not even be aware of immediately. Here are the top five things you should do after a Wilkes-Barre car accident to protect your rights.
- Seek Medical Attention: You may feel fine. But that could also be the adrenaline and not your reality. You must get checked out by a doctor to confirm whether you sustained accident injuries. Keep detailed documentation of all your doctor visits and medical treatment you receive. These documents can be crucial for receiving compensation in car accident cases.
- File a Police Report: Even if it doesn’t seem like you were initially in a severe car accident, you will want to file a formal police report. In the case of severe car crashes, police immediately should arrive at the scene and question you, other drivers, and any witnesses. The Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department offers emergency and non-emergency lines. You can also get your police report online or request a physical copy. The police report will be crucial to establishing negligence should your case go to court.
- Get Contact Information. After evaluating yourself and the passengers in your car, you must swap info with the other driver in your Wilkes-Barre car accident. Keep this interaction short and sweet. Do not admit fault or agree to any offers to make the car crash disappear.
- Gather Evidence: Document everything about your accident. Take photos of your vehicle and any damage you see. Look for skid marks, fluids, or anything safe to see around the accident scene.
- Speak to Witnesses: Make sure you talk to anyone who witnessed the auto accident, including pedestrians, other drivers, store owners, etc. Car accidents outside or very close to storefronts may have been caught on security cameras.
After a car accident, you’ll have doctors and your insurance company to deal with. Make sure you get the compensation you need to recover by calling an experienced Wilkes-Barre car accident lawyer to help you through the process.
What Can A Lawyer Do About A Car Accident?
After an auto accident, your first step should be contacting a Wilkes-Barre car crash lawyer who can help you build your case. The best lawyers know how to help you deal with your insurance company and insurance policy. An experienced car accident attorney can also guide you through your legal options based on the specifics of your car accident case. Here is how a car accident lawyer can help:
Establishing Negligence
If you can’t prove the other driver was at fault or negligent for the accident, then you have no case. Car accident lawyers gather the evidence to prove you were not at fault. This means you will likely receive more in any settlement, and it limits any fault the other party could try and place on you.
Negotiate Maximum Compensation
A Wilkes-Barre car accident lawyer can help you understand how much you may be owed in your auto accident case. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our clients have received millions to recoup their losses. We will gather the evidence needed in your motor vehicle accident case to earn you compensation for things like:
- Medical treatments and any medical bills relating to injuries from the accident
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Long-term care, if applicable
- Lost wages, if applicable
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death for a loved one
Accepting a settlement too soon or accepting fault for a car crash in Wilkes-Barre can leave you unable to recover future losses or pay for the damage already done. Car accident lawyers also have experience working with your insurance company after serious car accidents to negotiate settlements.
Call a Lawyer After Leaving Wilkes-Barre Car Accident Scene
Auto accidents, unfortunately, are not a rare occurrence on our roads. Whether the incident resulted in severe to minor injuries or car accident fatalities, it’s essential to know what to do at a car accident scene. It’s overwhelming dealing with police, your insurance company, witnesses, passengers, the other driver, and more. After thoroughly recounting the accident scene, your first call should be to an experienced car accident lawyer in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our car accident lawyers have been helping victims in Northeastern Pennsylvania for over 60 years. We are passionate about ensuring you receive maximum compensation to recover from your injuries. And we don’t make any money unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406
