Did you know that the average person will have three to four accidents over the course of their lifetime?

Whether the accident is minor or major and whether you are at fault or not, there are some crucial steps you need to take to protect yourself and ensure you get treated fairly after an accident.

In some cases, you may need to get in touch with a San Bernardino car accident lawyer to represent you and ensure you have professional representation during a claim or court case.

Here are five crucial steps—including getting in touch with a San Bernardino car accident lawyer if necessary—to take after a car accident.

Step 1: Do Not Leave the Scene

It might be tempting to get home—or the hospital—immediately after a car accident, especially if you feel like you are injured or in shock. However, if you do not need urgent medical care, you should stay at the scene until authorities arrive. Leaving the scene of an accident can be against the law if you don’t follow the proper protocol, so it’s always best to remain at the scene until authorities confirm it’s safe to leave.

Step 2: Call 911

Unless the accident is extremely minor and there is no damage to vehicles or injuries, you need to call 911 after an accident. The officer who responds can gather information and evidence including talking to witnesses and getting proper identification and insurance information from those involved. This could be crucial information your attorney needs in the event of an insurance claim or court case, so it’s vital they be called to the scene to collect it.

Step 3: Move to a Safe Place and Exchange Information

You don’t want to stay in a dangerous location such as the middle of an intersection. Even if you are unable to move the vehicles involved due to damage, you, your passengers, and others involved in the accident should get to a safe place while you wait for authorities to arrive. While you’re waiting, you can exchange identification and insurance information with the other driver.

Step 4: Take Photos

You may need to have evidence of your own for your or the other driver’s insurance agency in the event of a claim. While you wait for authorities to arrive, take pictures of both vehicles, the scene of the accident, and any injuries you have. It’s important not to admit fault during this (or any) time, even if you believe you caused the accident.

Step 5: Contact a San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer

If there is damage to your vehicle or you are injured, it’s important to reach out to a San Bernardino car accident lawyer. During a free consultation, you can tell an attorney about your accident and get advice on whether or not you need their services. Attorneys are authorities in this area and will be able to let you know the next best steps to take. When you have a skilled attorney by your side, you’ll be able to leave the work to them and focus on getting back to your life.

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