What should you do after a car accident in Shepherdsville or Bullitt County Kentucky? What are the legal requirements for someone involved in a motor vehicle accident in Kentucky?
Most of the people who will suffer injuries in a Shepherdsville, Mount Washington or a car accident anywhere in Bullitt County this year have never been involved in an accident resulting in injury before. You should know that any motor vehicle accident resulting in injury should result in a personal injury claim. What you do in the 24 to 48 hours after a car crash in Kentucky can make a big difference on the success and ultimately the value of any associated personal injury settlement or verdict.
The first and most important thing to do after a car crash in Shepherdsville or Bullitt County is to see a trauma doctor for a thorough medical evaluation within 24 to 48 hours of the accident, even if you don’t think you’ve been injured. There are many injuries which can take days, weeks or even months before showing any symptoms.
The most common of these injuries involves injury to neck muscles or the discs in the neck and back. A small herniation, or tear, in any of these discs will not present immediate symptoms but can result in substantial pain, medical treatment and associated bills in a few weeks or months down the road.
If you have been involved in any impact in a car, truck or motor vehicle it is important to get to a doctor and get checked out within 48 hours. Why is seeing a doctor so important?
If You Don’t See a Doctor within 48 Hours of any Car Accident Your May Not Be Able to Recover The Compensation You Would Otherwise be Legally and Financially Entitled to
Most people are really surprised to learn if they don’t see a doctor right away after a car accident it can and will affect the value of their rightful personal injury claim. In fact, they may not be able to pursue any claim against the negligent party at all. The insurance company will claim “you didn’t even see a doctor, you’ve obviously suffered injury somewhere else and now you’re trying to blame it on the accident.”
The Things to Do After a Car Crash in Shepherdsville or Bullitt County Kentucky
There are several things you need to do after a car accident in Shepherdsville or Bullitt County:
- Stop your vehicle if you are involved in any accident.
- Help anyone who is injured and call 9-1-1 or an ambulance.
- Call the police and make sure a report was filed, even if the accident doesn’t seem serious.
- It is mandatory to exchange information with others in the accident including the name and address of the driver of each involved vehicle, as well as each individual’s driver’s license number, the license number on any vehicle associated with the accident, as well as the address of the registered owner of the vehicles involved in the crash
- Make sure to count every person (driver or passenger) in every vehicle involved in the accident and try to get their name, address and phone number as well.
- It’s a good idea to take photos of the scene. You want to photo damage to any vehicles as long as it is safe based upon the location of the accident.
- Obtain a copy of any resulting police report.
What you say to other drivers, occupants and witnesses at the scene can and will have an impact on your personal injury case. Don’t apologize or try to assess blame or exchange your views on what caused the accident or who was at fault.
Be cautious about what you tell family, friends and co-workers and what you post on social media. It is quite natural to assure our friends and family that we are ok after an accident. This is not in your interest. Don’t make any comment like “I’m ok,” or “I don’t think I was hurt.” See a doctor, and then call us to talk about what happened and how to handle the calls you’re about to receive from other insurance companies as well as your own.
John Schmidt has more than 25 years of experience to learn more about what to do after a car accident in Shepherdsville or Bullitt County Kentucky. If you have been injured you will need the our advice and counsel. We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the sound advice and important information you need.
