Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Renton, Washington

The trauma of a car accident can have lasting physical and emotional impacts on an injury victim’s life. Often, the distress continues during the recovery process, when a car accident survivor faces not only the pain of their injury but the distressing prospect of a challenging legal endeavor to obtain the compensation they deserve from the at-fault party’s insurance. 

Knowing what steps to take immediately after the accident and in the following weeks can help streamline the car accident claim process and maximize your chances of obtaining the full and fair compensation available to you. 

If you were injured in a crash and are unsure how Washington car accident claims work, a Renton car accident attorney from Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers can explain your options—call (206) 312-0954 for guidance.

Steps to Take at the Scene of a Renton Car Accident 

In the worst case, a car accident could leave you unconscious or incapacitated by severe injuries and shock, so you are unable to take any purposeful action. In these cases, you’re left to rely on others, and the accident report by the police becomes the main source of evidence. However, if you can use your phone at the accident scene, or ask an uninjured person to use it for you, take these steps to procure the following evidence:

• First, call 911 to report the accident and apply any emergency first aid to yourself or others
• Then, use your phone’s camera to take photos of the damaged vehicles, the accident scene, and anything relevant to the cause of the accident
• Photograph any visible injuries
• Add the contact information of the other driver or drivers involved
• Add the contact information of eyewitnesses
• Record what you remember about the accident while it’s fresh in your mind, since trauma sometimes fades memories later

Always go directly to a hospital from the accident scene, either by ambulance or by arranging transport with a family member or friend. This not only ensures your injuries receive immediate medical treatment but also provides clear evidence that they occurred in the car accident. Under Washington RCW 4.22, the injury victim has the burden of evidence to prove the at-fault party’s liability for their damages.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Renton

At the hospital, request a comprehensive medical assessment to diagnose all the injuries from your accident, including those with delayed symptoms such as whiplash and internal injuries. Then, do the following:

• Ask for a detailed medical report and physician’s notes showing your injuries, the doctor’s recommended course of treatment, and your prognosis for recovery
• Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible
• Carefully follow your doctor’s treatment instructions, attend all appointments, and fill every prescription
• Obtain a copy of the police report of your accident
• If your injuries prevent a return to work, ask your employer for a written statement
• Contact an experienced Renton car accident lawyer to represent you

Once you’ve hired a car accident attorney, direct all communication with the insurance company to your lawyer and avoid talking to the insurer on a recorded line. Often, insurers reach out quickly to injury victims with low settlement offers before the injury victim can know the full extent of their damages. 

A Renton car accident lawyer will handle all negotiations with the insurance company and work to secure the maximum compensation for your injuries.

How Can a Renton Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?

The insurance company is not on your side after an accident, even if they sound compassionate when they phone you. Their goal to make profits conflicts with your objective to obtain the maximum compensation available to you. Contact a Renton car accident attorney from Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers for experienced legal representation and prompt, assertive action on your case.

Although no legal process can erase the harm, a successful Renton car accident claim recovers the financial compensation you need so you can focus on healing.