The harsh reality is that motor vehicle accidents happen all the time in Washington. According to data from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), there were 82,152 total car crashes on Washington roadways and highways in 2021. 575 of these accidents were fatal. Given the common occurrence of Washington car crashes, it’s important for drivers to know what they should immediately do post-accident.

1. Seek Medical Attention

If you believe you were injured in a crash, seek emergency medical care as soon as practically possible. Serious medical conditions can often arise even in the absence of signs or symptoms of a medical issue.

Accident victims should seek care from:

• An emergency department,
• A primary care physician, or
• An urgent care center.

2. Work with Police Officers

Depending on the facts of your accident, the police may or may not be called to your accident scene. If they are, and you have not left the scene to receive emergency care, try to respectfully comply with police efforts.

Note that you should provide officers with your identification information and proof of insurance and registration. But if officers begin to ask you detailed questions about the possible use of alcohol/drugs, or your blame in causing the incident, you should respectfully let the officers know you’d like to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions.

3. Gather Evidence at the Accident Scene

Try to gather as much evidence as possible before you leave the scene of the accident. If you had to leave the scene to secure medical attention, return to the scene as soon as your health permits. You can even have a friend or family visit the scene for you.

Use a smart phone to capture pictures. You’ll want to try and capture photographic evidence of:

• Any damage to your vehicle,
• Any damage to other vehicles involved in the accident,
• Your injuries,
• Weather conditions at the time of the accident,
• Road conditions at the time of the accident, and
• The location of any traffic signs or traffic lights that may have helped contribute to the accident.

Try to also gather the names and contact information of any people that witnessed the accident. Be polite and respectful in doing so. You never know if you may have to contact these parties to assist in a future injury claim or lawsuit.

4. Contact Your Insurance Company

Almost every insurance policy has a “Notice of Occurrence and Cooperation” clause. The clause means you agree to tell your insurance company when you are in an accident, and you agree to cooperate with your insurance company’s accident investigation. Make sure to contact your insurer to comply with this clause.

Further, you’ll also want to contact the at-fault party’s insurer so that you can eventually begin an injury claim.

5. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney for Help

A personal injury lawyer plays a critical role in auto accident cases. A skilled lawyer can step in and manage a case from its early inception. This means you can avoid the stress of the matter and focus on your health and healing.

Further, an injury attorney can file personal injury claims with insurers and even negotiate these claims on your behalf. If a claim does not produce a favorable settlement, an experienced attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit to help you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Contact Douglas P. Levinson Today

If you or a loved one was injured in an auto accident, please know that the law offices of Douglas P. Levinson is here to help. I have been helping injury victims and families receive fair compensation for their personal injury accidents for over 20 years. Let me help you make informed choices about your legal issues so that you can focus on your health and healing.

I am experienced in all aspects of civil disputes and injury claims, and I personally handle or oversee every aspect of your case. Let me shoulder your burden until we achieve a fair and just result for your case. Contact me now for the quality legal help you deserve.