Dos and Don’ts After a Champaign Auto Accident
Unfortunately, car accidents usually happen without warning, and after a car accident occurs, those involved are often left wondering what they should do next. Despite whatever you might feel after being in a Champaign auto accident, especially after being in one because of another party’s negligence, you need to remain aware of your reaction. It is important for you to take certain steps and avoid doing certain things after an Illinois car accident.
Generally, an individual’s immediate reaction after a car accident can positively or negatively affect their ability to recover compensation for bodily injuries, property damage, and other losses.
This article guides you through some of the dos and don’ts after an Illinois car accident.
Do Seek Medical Help and Call the Police
After a Champaign auto accident, one of the first things you should do is assess yourself and others for injuries. If someone is injured, call 911 to get immediate medical help. Calling 911 also allows you to report your accident to the police on time. Remember, reporting an accident to the appropriate authorities is not just a recommendation; in most situations, reporting an Illinois car accident to the police is a requirement.
Don’t Ignore the Seriousness of a Car Accident
Sometimes, after a car accident, an individual may not notice any visible injuries. However, even when you don’t see visible injuries after a crash, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes, accident victims don’t realize they have suffered injuries immediately after an accident due to shock. After a car accident, see a doctor and tell them what happened. Additionally, after receiving a treatment plan from your doctor, make sure you follow it.
Do Gather Evidence
It is important that you gather evidence after a Champaign auto accident since evidence is crucial to ensuring you obtain the compensation you deserve. Usually, it is advisable to take photos of the accident scene. After a car accident, you should take pictures of the involved vehicles’ license plates, broken glass, skid marks, traffic controls, and many other things. Also, it would be best if you collected witness testimonies and details after an Illinois car accident. However, only do this if your condition allows you to and if the accident scene is safe. If, after a car accident, your state doesn’t allow you to gather evidence, you should consider asking someone to gather evidence for you.
Don’t Forget to File a Written Report
Under Illinois law, a driver is required to file a written report of their vehicle accident if their accident resulted in death, bodily injury, or property damage in excess of $1,500 (or $500 if the vehicle is uninsured). So, if you get involved in such an accident, make sure you file a written report with the Illinois Department of Transportation (DOT) no later than ten days after your accident.
Contact Our Champaign Auto Accident Lawyers Today
Another thing you need to do as soon as possible after an Illinois car accident is contact a car accident lawyer to learn about your legal options. At Patel Law, PC, we can assess your case, tell you about your legal options and help you seek compensation. Contact one of our Champaign Auto accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
