Five Things to Do After a Car Accident in Arizona

What to do after a car accident in Arizona

After a car accident, you might be scared and wondering what to do next. Follow these five steps so that you can recover from your injuries and hold the proper parties responsible for the costs you incurred as a result of the accident.

Seek Medical Attention

As soon as possible, seek medical attention from a doctor after an accident, because you may be suffering from serious injuries and not even know it. You may be suffering from injures which may not present themselves right away. If the accident was severe, you may be taken to the hospital in an ambulance from the scene of the crash; if your accident was not severe, you will have to seek medical attention on your own.

That is why it is important to see a doctor, so you can determine what injuries you may be suffering from and how to treat them. Common injuries suffered after car accidents in AZ include:

• Whiplash
• Concussions or other head injuries
• Cuts
• Bruises
• Broken bones, particularly ribs
• Internal bleeding

Your doctor will perform a physical exam, touching various parts of your body to check for external injuries or sensitive areas. Your doctor may also order tests such as x-rays or MRIs to determine whether you suffer from any internal injuries.

Once your doctor determines what injuries you suffer from as a result of the accident, they will create a treatment plan for you. This may include taking prescribed medication, wearing a cast or sling for any broken bones, following up regularly with your doctor, or seeing other doctors or a physical therapist. It is important you follow your doctor’s treatment plan so that your injuries heal.

Aside from physical injuries, you may also suffer from emotional injuries as a result of the accident. After the accident you may feel guilt, anxiety, fear of driving, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you are experiencing nightmares, trouble sleeping, or other intense emotional reactions, you may be suffering from an emotional injury.

See a psychologist who can diagnose your injury and counsel you to overcome the symptoms you are experiencing. You may also see a psychiatrist who can prescribe you medication to relieve some of the intense emotional reactions you may be experiencing. Follow the treatment plan of your psychologist or psychiatrist carefully so that the emotional injuries you suffer from can also heal.

Report the Accident

After the accident, call 911 to report it to the police; in Arizona, you are not required to report an accident, but it is best to do so. Arizona law does require you to remain at the scene of the accident until police arrive. If you leave the scene, you may be found guilty of a felony and have your license suspended.

Police are required by law to file written accident reports for accidents that result in death, injury, the issuance of a citation, or property damage exceeding $1,000. If you think the accident you were involved in meets one of these criteria, call the police so the accident can be formally documented. If the police come to the scene and are required to file a written report, the report will usually be filed within 24 hours of the accident and is required to include:

• The time and date of the accident
• Enough information to identify the location of the accident
• The name, age, sex, address, phone number, vehicle ownership and registration, and insurance information of the drivers and witnesses
• A diagram of the scene of the accident
• A description of what happened
• The investigating officer’s name, agency, and identification number

Accident reports are public records, and you can request a copy online from the Arizona Department Records Unit; this requires you to create an account on the Department Records Unit website and fill out a form. You will also have to pay a small fee of up to $15; the fee you pay depends on how you request the report be sent to you. It can be sent via mail, email, fax, or other ways.

You can also request copies of any photographs that were taken by the police at the scene. Any copies of reports you request will be helpful to an should you choose to pursue a personal injury claim against those responsible for your accident.

Document the Accident

While at the scene of the accident, document as much as you can about what happened. One way to do this is by taking pictures. Some things to photograph include:

• Your injuries
• Injuries to any passengers
• Injuries to other drivers involved
• Damage to the interior and exterior of your vehicle
• Damage to the interior and exterior of other vehicles involved
• Location of the accident

It is also possible to document the accident by writing things down on your cell phone or a piece of paper. Some things to write down include:

• Contact information of other drivers and passengers involved
• Contact information of any witnesses
• License plate numbers
• Insurance information
• Make, model, and other defining characteristics of the other vehicles involved
• Time and location of the accident

You may also want to write down how the accident happened from your point of view. You could write down what you were doing right before the accident, where you were driving to or from, and any other information you think may be important to remember. The information you document can help an Arizona personal injury attorney review your case and determine a course of action to help you seek recovery.

Contact Your Insurance Company

If you have car insurance, notify your insurance company of the accident within 24 hours. This will allow your insurance company to investigate your claim and cover any injuries you suffered or damage done to your vehicle.

When you speak with your insurance company, provide them only with the facts of what happened; do not discuss any emotions you may be feeling as a result of the accident, and do not discuss fault. Although your insurance company is on your side and is there to pay for your injuries or damage, you must remember they have hundreds of claims to pay out, and they can use anything you say against you, minimizing your payout and causing you to have to pay out of pocket for your injuries and damages. If you are uncomfortable negotiating with your insurance company by yourself, contact a personal injury lawyer to help you through the process.

Call an Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer

After your accident, you may be wondering whom you can hold responsible, and what you can hold them responsible for. In Arizona, the person who caused the accident can be held responsible for any injuries or damage that results from it. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine who caused a car accident; an Arizona car accident attorney can help you determine who was at fault and what they can be held liable for.

Once retained, a good auto accident lawyer in AZ can help you hold the responsible party liable for your medical bills, lost earnings, emotional injuries, and many other things. Contact a car accident attorney to evaluate your case and let them help you calculate any expenses you can seek compensation for.

Zinda law group can help you

At Zinda Law Group, our Arizona car accident lawyers have handled thousands of personal injury lawsuits involving car wrecks. We understand car accidents can be scary, leaving physical and emotional injuries that last long after the accident. We have the experience and resources to help you seek the compensation you deserve and hold the proper person or parties responsible.

Zinda Law Group believes that victims of car accidents have suffered enough damage and should not have to pay for excellent legal representation. Our No Win, No Fee Guarantee ensures that you do not have to pay for our legal services unless we receive a favorable verdict, judgment, or settlement in your case. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident in Arizona, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney near you.

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.