Side impact accidents typically occur at junctions where one vehicle hits another’s side. Because the impact occurs close to where the driver and other occupants are sitting, these accidents usually result in severe injuries and fatalities in some cases. If you are involved in one, you should know what steps to take to ensure everyone is safe and that you get the compensation you deserve.
Get to Safety
Your safety and that of the other people in the vehicle with you is crucial following an accident. To avoid the likelihood of getting injured further if other vehicles collide with you, you should get to safety as soon as possible if you can.
Call for Help
Next, call 911 and request the police and emergency services. The police will start documenting the accident’s details, while emergency services will provide first aid to anyone injured.
You can also take this time to exchange crucial information with the other driver. Record their name and contact information, ask for their insurance company and policy number, and capture their car’s license plate number and details like the make, model, and color.
Collect Evidence
Even when you know the other vehicle was at fault, the strength of your lawsuit will depend on the strength of your evidence. Start by taking photographs and videos of the accident scene and that of the vehicles. Be sure to capture crucial details such as the impact, skid marks, road conditions, and anything else you need to prove the other driver is liable.
You should also see if you can get eyewitness statements. While these statements might not be admissible in court because they are hearsay, they will give you better leverage when negotiating with the other party’s insurance or attorneys.
If you cannot do this due to your injuries, get someone you trust to do it for you.
Seek Medical Attention
You should visit a hospital as soon as possible even if you do not feel pain or have visible injuries. The surge of adrenaline you feel following the accident might mask pain, and you might have internal or brain injuries you would not know about without a comprehensive checkup.
This process will also yield documentation that you can use to show the nature and extent of your injuries, and you will be able to liken them to the accident. It will also remove the other party’s ability to say that your injuries are not a result of the accident.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
You should ideally hire a car injury attorney as soon as possible, but you can do it after you have received the required checkups from the doctor. Discuss the accident and all the details you can remember with them and share all the evidence you have collected so far.
They will go through everything and then help you start the process of filing a lawsuit. Your attorney will also help with specific things, such as hiring an accident reconstructionist and negotiating with the other party to ensure the best compensation.
Side impact accidents cause a lot of damage due to the site of the collision and impact. Every driver should know what to do in the event of one. Importantly, you should know what evidence to collect and that you should hire a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys at the law offices of Marc S. Albert have helped victims like you get the compensation and justice you deserve.
You can talk to us by consulting our offices at the following locations:
- Astoria – 32-72 Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11103
- Brooklyn – 7113 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209
- Syosset – 175 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, NY 11791
You can also call now for a free consultation on (347) 472-5080 to discuss the accident.