After a car accident in Buffalo, start by checking for injuries and calling 911. If it is safe, exchange information with the other driver, document the scene, and seek medical attention (even if your symptoms seem minor). Be cautious about giving recorded statements or accepting an insurance settlement before talking to a car accident lawyer.
The steps you take after a crash can affect your options for recovering compensation. An experienced car accident lawyer in Buffalo can tell you everything you need to know to protect the value of your claim. Steve Foley Law Firm empowers you with information.
What You Should Do Right After a Car Accident in Buffalo
The moments after a car accident can be confusing, but taking a few practical steps can help protect your safety and preserve important information. If you are involved in a crash in Buffalo, focus on getting medical help and documenting what happened.
Your first steps after a collision in Buffalo should be to:
- Move to a safe location if possible: If your vehicle can be moved safely and doing so does not put you or others at risk, move it out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and remain at the scene. Never leave the accident, especially if someone may be injured.
- Check for injuries: Assess yourself and others involved in the crash. Even if an injury does not appear serious, take symptoms seriously. Avoid moving anyone who may have a spinal injury unless there is an immediate danger requiring evacuation.
- Call 911: Report the accident and request police or emergency medical assistance. Tell the dispatcher where the crash occurred and whether anyone is injured.
- Stay calm and avoid admitting fault: Do not argue with the other driver or speculate about who caused the crash. Even a statement intended to be polite, such as “I’m sorry,” could later be taken out of context.
- Exchange information: Obtain the other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license details, insurance information, and vehicle registration information when possible. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact details.
Provide accurate information to law enforcement and emergency personnel, but avoid making definitive statements about fault or the extent of your injuries before you have been medically evaluated. What you say immediately after a crash may later become part of an insurance claim or legal dispute. Steve Foley Law Firm will protect your rights.
For a free legal consultation, call 716-249-2222
Seek Medical Attention
You should seek medical attention after a car accident if you experience pain, discomfort, or any symptoms that could indicate an injury. If you have serious symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency department.
Even when you feel relatively fine, schedule a medical evaluation. Some accident-related injuries may not become noticeable until hours or days after a crash. The adrenaline released during a collision can temporarily mask pain. Some injuries, including whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue damage, may not be immediately obvious.
Follow Your Treatment Plan
Once you’ve been evaluated, keep following your doctor’s advice. Go to your follow-up visits, take any medications as instructed, and stick with physical therapy or other treatment your provider recommends. If your symptoms get worse or something new comes up, let your doctor know.
Keep track of your medical care. Save records of appointments, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, and any expenses you pay out of pocket. You can also jot down how your injuries are affecting everyday activities, your work, and your normal routine. This can help create a clear record of how the accident has affected you.
Document the Accident Scene
Good documentation can preserve important evidence before the scene changes or details become difficult to recall. If you are physically able and it is safe to do so, take photographs and videos of the accident scene before leaving.
Photograph the damage to each vehicle, the surrounding roadway, traffic signals and signs, lane markings, skid marks, debris, and any visible injuries. Try to capture both close-up images and wider views that show how the vehicles and roadway were positioned. Do not put yourself in danger to get a photograph.
You should also request a copy of the police accident report when it becomes available. Review the report for basic information about the crash and make sure you understand what it says about the circumstances. Steve Foley Law Firm will use all available information to build a strong claim.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Notify Your Insurance Company
After a car accident in Buffalo, notify your own insurance company promptly and follow the requirements of your policy. When you report the crash, provide basic facts such as when and where it happened, the vehicles involved, and whether you were injured. Stick to what you know rather than trying to explain why the accident happened.
Be careful when speaking with the other driver’s insurance company. An adjuster may ask you to give a recorded statement or answer detailed questions about the crash. Speak with an attorney from Steve Foley Law Firm before giving a recorded statement.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Clear Guidance From an Experienced Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer
If another driver’s negligence caused the accident, you may have a claim for damages. A Buffalo car accident lawyer can help you determine what steps to take next.
At Steve Foley Law Firm, we have over 75 years of combined legal experience helping people recover after accidents. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
Call or text 716-249-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
