Understanding What to Do Next After a Crash: Albuquerque Auto Accident Attorney Explains
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of unintentional injuries in the United States. According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each year almost 40,000 people are killed and 2.3 million people are injured in traffic accidents. Unfortunately, our Albuquerque auto accident attorney at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. knows that most of these wrongful deaths and personal injuries could have been avoided with the proper exercise of reasonable care. However, far too many defendants are reckless, careless, and outright negligent in causing serious or devastating personal injuries due to their substandard conduct.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in any type of motor vehicle accident involving a negligent driver, business, or government entity, ask our experienced Albuquerque auto accident attorney for help right away. We offer FREE consultations and case evaluations, and we can begin to work with you and your family right away to recover the compensation that you deserve.
Some of the most important steps that you can take to help maximize your recovery with our help include the following:
Call 911 for the Police
After an accident, even if you think it might be a minor accident, always call 911. Even fender benders can result in serious personal injuries – especially if it is with a large tractor trailer or tanker. Having law enforcement arrive and create an accident report for you will help you in several ways, including to prove liability, investigate claims, issue tickets, gather witnesses, and create an official record to support your possible personal injury case. Always call law enforcement for help after any type of auto accident – no matter how small you think it may be.
Call for Medical Help
If you have even the slightly injury or ache, or even if you have a little bit of soreness or injury, call for a healthcare provider. Even a minor headache or if something does not feel right should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider such as an EMT at the scene. These professionals are well-trained and can detect injuries that may appear to be minor now, but actually are very serious. This includes soft tissue injuries, slipped discs, herniated discs, and brain bleeds, among other injuries that could result in catastrophic injury or death.
If you are recommended to go to the hospital, also you should go and get evaluated. Never resist medical treatment and always tell providers every single possible injury, even if it is minor. Not explaining your injuries to healthcare providers could hurt your claim both now and in the future, as well as risk your life and limb.
Get Witness Information
Although law enforcement will do this for you, it is important to try to get witness information right away including other drivers’ license plates, telephone numbers, addresses, or any other contact information to reach out to them in an accident. Having this information can help support your claim later.
Take Photographs and Videos of the Accident Scene to Help our Albuquerque Auto Accident Attorney
If you are able to do so after a crash, taking photographs and videos of the accident scene can really help your claim. This includes not just taking photographs and videos of the scene, but also signage, debris, points of impact, injuries, and other issues that could help support your claim.
Stay Off Social Media
Although it may be tempting to complain on social media, post pictures, or otherwise put information up about your accident and your injuries, don’t! Social media can really harm your case in so many ways, even if you are posting about non-accident-related things. Victims and their families may be entitled to less compensation due to mishaps by posting things online where a defense lawyer could argue that some of your claims may not fully be true if you are able to enjoy your time and life (i.e., such as traveling or going out to restaurants or bars with family and friends).
Call Our Albuquerque Auto Accident Attorney Before the Insurance Company
Finally, the most important step you can take after a crash in New Mexico is to call an experienced Albuquerque auto accident attorney like ours at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. Our compassionate and experienced team can help you and your family recover the compensation that you deserve. If you contact the insurance carrier first, they will do everything in their power to undermine your claim. This includes by asking you trick questions, getting your to minimize your injuries, and getting you to maximize your comparative fault. Do not let that happen to you.
To learn more about how we can help you, please call (505) 384-7865 to schedule a FREE consultation with our lawyers. We handle cases in Inland Empire County and San Bernardino County, California, as well as throughout New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Roswell, Cuervo, Rio Rancho, Clovis, Farmington, Hobbs, Albuquerque where our office is located, and anywhere else throughout New Mexico. Our second trucking accident office in California serves those in Inland Empire County and San Bernardino County, as well as those who have been catastrophically injured or wrongfully killed through California. Please call to schedule for FREE appointment by dialing (505) 384-7865 or contact us through our website’s easy to use and convenient contact box available here
