Hiring an Auto Accident Lawyer: What to Do After a Crash

If you've been involved in a car crash, you may need to hire an auto accident lawyer for any number of reasons. The most common reason is to recover damages resulting from the other driver's negligence. While most car crashes never reach this point, there are certainly those that do. And while some insurance companies will see the mess they have on their hands and will be quick to offer a fair and generous settlement, this is probably not the most common scenario. Of course, hiring an attorney and moving forward with a suit is a matter for days or weeks down the road. Here's what to do when the crash is fresh.

Stay Put

Whether the crash was your fault or not, you need to stay in the area until you speak with the other driver. In some states, it is mandatory to call the police following an accident. In others, it is up to the discretion of the drivers involved. If you plan on going through your insurance company for the damage, you need to get the police involved. Certainly, never try to leave without being in agreement with the other driver or having talked to the police. You could put yourself in danger of being charged with a hit and run.

Exchange Information

If you aren't going to involve the police, no one was injured, and the damage was minor, you can simply exchange information with the other driver and move on your way. Get the other driver's name, insurance information, and license plate number at minimum and give him the same. If you have a camera on you, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take some photos of the scene and of any damage that occurred. One note: if there is any damage to your vehicle that you expect the other driver (or his insurance company) to pay for, you should call the police. Stories have a way of changing dramatically down the road.

Don't Volunteer Fault

Don't make any statements, even casually, that you might have had something to do with causing the crash. If you want to leave open any possibility of hiring an auto accident lawyer and bringing a suit, you need to make sure you haven't made statements that could come back to bite you.

Hiring an Auto Accident Lawyer

If you aren't getting what you need from the other driver or his insurance company, you may need to involve the legal system. Find a good attorney who specializes in the field and get the damages to which you are entitled.