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Hurt in Cleveland: What should you do after an Ohio traffic accident?

No one expects to be involved in a car wreck, but if you are, do you know what to do? This list of ten steps to take after a Cleveland-area car crash was compiled by the Ohio car accident attorneys at Chester Law Group.

1. Stay calm. Assess your surroundings, if you see or smell fire or leaking gas, try to get away from the vehicle.

2. Assess your injuries. If you think you may have a serious injury or if it hurts to move, stay still and wait for help. Call 911 if you are able.

3. If you are able to move without pain, and it is safe to do so, get off the road. Move your car as far as possible from the path of traffic. If you can’t move your vehicle, then determine if you can exit the vehicle safely and get to the side of the road. Unfortunately many people survive car accidents only to get hit by a car after exiting their vehicle. Don’t leave the car unless it is safe to do so. If it is not safe to leave, keep your seatbelt on to protect yourself from further crashes.

4. Get medical care. Tell the EMT’s about any pain or symptoms that you are experiencing. If EMT’s at the scene suggest you go to the hospital for evaluation, do so. Many serious injuries do not show obvious signs until days after the injury.

5. Fill out a police report. If you are confused after the accident, mention your confusion and ask to make your statement at a later time. However, the police report is important for getting insurance compensation.

6. Contact your insurance company. Let them know the accident has occurred, but do not make a recorded statement or sign anything at this time.

7. Collect information. Any of the following information may help your case:

• The names and contact information for any other drivers involved in the accident
• License numbers and insurance information for the other drivers
• Tag numbers and vehicle make, model and color for vehicles involved
• Witness names and contact numbers
• Names of police officers and other emergency workers at the scene
• Documentation of your injuries; you can get a copy of the emergency services report and your own doctor and hospital records
• Request a copy of the police report
• A description of the scene; if you can, take pictures
• Your own notes about what happened; memories fade, so do this as soon as you can

8. Follow up with all medical care and go to all doctor appointments. This is the best way to get an idea of the true extent of your injuries.

9. Follow up with your insurance company, but do not agree to a settlement until you take step 10.

10. Speak to an attorney, especially if you were seriously injured. An Ohio traffic accident attorney should offer a free consultation. At the consultation, your car crash lawyer will let you if the insurance company’s settlement offer is fair and if you have a Cleveland personal injury case. There is a time limitation for personal injury cases, so contact your attorney as soon as possible.

To learn more about what to do if you have been in a car crash, call Chester Law Group and request our free book: The Insider’s Guide to Handling Ohio Accident Claims.

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