Millions of people are injured in accidents each year. It is best to be prepared in case you are involved in an accident. This article will help you learn what steps to take after an accident so that, if necessary, you can file a personal injury claim.

1) Call 911 or the nearest police department to report the accident. Although you may not have been in a serious accident, you still need to report the accident in case the other party wants to file a liability claim.

2) Make sure you are out of the way of traffic. Hundreds of pedestrians die on the road after an accident and you could avoid being one of them. It will most likely shake after an accident, so be sure to keep an eye on your surroundings.

3) Verify that the police officer has completed a report and that it is correct. If you do not receive a copy of the police report at the scene, be sure to get a copy from the police department. Since the police officer most likely did not witness the accident, it is recommended that you review the report carefully.

4) Record information about any witnesses to the accident and what they saw. Also try to get the name, phone number, and address of the driver and each passenger in the other vehicle. It is also important to note the name of the police officer, the police department, and any emergency vehicles at the scene. You may need these notes later if you are trying to file a personal injury claim.

5) Take pictures of the damage to both vehicles and the license plate of the other vehicle with your cell phone or a disposable camera that you must have in your car. As stated above, even if it’s a minor accident, you still need to do all of these steps. You don’t want to be in a situation where the other driver is claiming more damage than occurred and you can’t prove otherwise.

6) Find out the name of the towing company and the location of where you are towing. To minimize your stress after an accident, get all the information you need to recover your car BEFORE it’s towed. In this way, in addition to worrying about what you are going to do with the accident, you will not have to worry about recovering your car.

7) Even if you are not seriously injured, go to the hospital or doctor immediately after the accident. In some cases, your injury may only manifest 24-72 hours after the accident. So be sure to monitor your condition and seek medical attention right away because your injury may be more serious than you think.

8) Consult a personal injury attorney to see if you have a case. Even if you don’t think you need a lawyer, get the advice of one anyway because they will often give you a free case evaluation.

9) It is best not to discuss your injury claim with anyone until you have spoken with an attorney.