If you drive often around Central California, it might do you well to have a number of a Fresno auto accident lawyer saved on your contacts just in case. According to a local car accident lawyer, nearly half-a-million auto accidents occurred in California in 2017, with over 270,000 injuries recorded. This number increased by around 3% during the first few months of 2018. If the trend continues for the next few years, your chances of being involved in a fender bender increases as well. A fender bender is one thing, but a serious vehicle collision is a whole different ball game where you may suffer injuries or inflict the same upon another. Fatalities are also an unfortunate possibility in major car collisions. In many cases traffic lawyers are contacted due to the severity of the accidents.

Chances are that you haven’t given much thought on what you should do in case you find yourself right in the middle of an auto accident like contacting an auto injury lawyer . Below are some of the more important steps to take if ever you are in a car accident.

1.   Are You Injured?

Regardless of the severity of the accident, always remember to check yourself for injuries, here are the most common types of personal injuries. With adrenaline coursing through your body, there’s a chance that you might not feel any pain initially so make sure to check if you can breathe normally, don’t feel any broken limbs and are not bleeding from any part of your body. If you do find any injuries, make sure to get professional assistance from a personal injury lawyer.

2.  How About Your Passengers?

Check on the condition of your passengers. If you are too injured to move and help your passengers, ask bystanders for help.

3.  Move Away From Your Vehicle

If you can still drive your car, move it to the side of the road. However, if the car is too damaged or unsafe to drive, leave it and if possible, turn on the hazard lights to warn other drivers. You and your passengers should get out of the vehicle and move a safe distance away from the car and traffic.

 4.  Call 911

It might surprise you to know that some in some states, calling 911 if you are involved in a vehicular accident is a legal requirement. Whether the law compels you or not, however, calling 911 is important. Responding officers will also document the incident and make a report, apart from making sure that anyone injured from accident receive proper care. The report that the officers will file about the accident will be vital when you file a claim.

5.  Wait for the Emergency Personnel to Arrive

As you wait for officers and emergency personnel to arrive, turn on the hazard lights of your vehicle if can. Take out your emergency car kit and even your road flares to warn other vehicles about the accident as you reach your lawyer from Leppard Law in Florida.

 6.  Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Exchange the following information with the other driver, if possible.

• Name and contact details
• Insurance information
• Driver’s license

According to an auto accident attorney, you can also make a note of the other vehicle’s license plate number, color, type and model. Take pictures and videos of the scene to have your own documentation the accident.

 7.  Call Your Personal Injury Lawyer

Tell your personal injury lawyer about the incident and follow any instructions that he might have for you. This becomes important if you are still feeling a bit distressed or are shaken up; car accident law is very detailed and it is best if a professional car accident attorney handles it.

Note that your insurance company may not have your best interests at heart which is why independent legal advice from a accident attorney can be helpful – this guide from Rosengard Law Group explains this point in more detail.

While it may be difficult to do so, the first and most important thing to remember if you are involved in a car accident is to remain calm while talking to the las vegas car accident lawyer. Once you are able to make sense of what happened to you, follow the steps outlined above.