Many of us know what to do in the immediate aftermath of a car accident. Render first aid and call for emergency assistance if necessary. Exchange insurance information and document as much as possible.

At some point, you'll need to inform your insurance company of what happened. Unfortunately, many people end up having to contact an attorney.

What Drives Many to Contact an Attorney after a Car Accident

The other person may not have auto insurance, or they may not have enough coverage to cover your damages. Alternatively, you may decide to contact a Fort Myers car accident lawyer or an attorney in whichever city the accident occurred if your insurance company may not be providing the coverage you expect or feel that you are entitled to.

There may be an honest mistake on your part, such as assuming you have comprehensive coverage instead of collision insurance. In other cases, people need assistance assessing the insurance settlement they've been offered.

What to Do After an Accident to Help Any Future Legal Case

We're going to outline what to do after a car accident in order to aid any future legal case you have.

Document the scene of the accident, the condition of the vehicles and road conditions. This is evidence related to your case. Exchange insurance information with the other person. Take pictures of their insurance card so that you don't make a mistake transcribing the information.

Ask for the names and contact information of any witnesses. If the police do come, ask for their names and badge numbers. If they create a police report, at least ask for the report number. This allows you to ask for a copy of the police report later if you can't pull it up online.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible after your accident. This isn't just to provide peace of mind. The doctor's appointment will generate a medical professional's opinion regarding the severity of any injuries you suffered. If they're significant enough, it will give you the opportunity to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you get compensation for these injuries. On the other hand, if you wait a few weeks to see the doctor, the insurance company could say that it either wasn't severe or wasn't caused by the car wreck.

What Shouldn't You Do If You've Been in a Car Accident?

Don't leave the scene of an accident without verifying everyone is alright or making sure they don't want you to call for assistance. It is a crime in many jurisdictions to leave the scene of an accident without the police clearing it.

Don't apologize for the accident, even if you think you have some blame. This might be construed as a sign that you're responsible. Never talk about partying with friends or being tired. This implies that you were impaired while driving.

Never offer money to the other person, and do not accept money to "settle" the matter. Wait until you know the full extent of any property damage or injuries before you settle the matter.

Do not lie to officers. If you were driving over the speed limit or failed to yield, accept any ticket and go home. If you get into an argument with officers, they might look for charges to file against you. This behavior can also color the police report.

Do not attempt do-it-yourself repairs. Have a mechanic assess the damage to the car and provide an official estimate. The only exception would be replacing a flat tire so you can drive home, but we'd still recommend a tow truck.