Being involved in a car accident is a stressful and often overwhelming experience. In the immediate aftermath, it can be difficult to think clearly and take the necessary steps to protect your health, rights, and financial well-being. However, knowing what to do after a car accident in Arizona can make all the difference in ensuring you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this challenging situation.
1. Check for Injuries and Ensure Safety
Your first priority after any car accident should be your safety and the safety of others involved. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately to request medical assistance. Avoid moving anyone with serious injuries unless there’s an immediate danger, like a fire or oncoming traffic.
If it’s safe to do so, move your vehicle out of traffic to prevent further accidents. Turn on your hazard lights and use cones or flares if you have them to warn other drivers.
2. Call the Police
Arizona law requires you to report any car accident that results in injury or significant property damage. Call the police and wait for them to arrive at the scene. The responding officer will document the accident in an official police report, which will be crucial if you need to file an insurance claim or pursue legal action.
Be honest with the officer about what happened but avoid admitting fault or speculating about the cause of the accident. Stick to the facts and let the investigation determine liability.
3. Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you’re physically able, collect as much evidence as possible at the accident scene. This can include:
- Photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
- Videos of the scene from multiple angles.
- Contact information for witnesses who saw the accident.
- The other driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and license plate number.
This evidence will be invaluable when filing an insurance claim or building a legal case.
4. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel injured immediately after the accident, it’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, may not show symptoms right away but can worsen over time.
Seeing a doctor not only ensures your health but also creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident. This documentation will be critical if you decide to file a personal injury claim later.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company promptly to report the accident. Provide them with accurate details about what happened but avoid giving recorded statements until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Remember that anything you say could potentially be used against you by insurers looking to minimize payouts.
While notifying your own insurer is important, you are not obligated to speak with the at-fault driver’s insurance company without legal representation.
6. Contact an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer
Once you’ve addressed immediate medical concerns and reported the accident to your insurer, it’s time to consider hiring an experienced Arizona car accident lawyer—especially if:
- Your vehicle sustained significant damage.
- You’ve suffered injuries requiring medical treatment.
- There is a dispute over who was at fault for the crash.
This is where Garrick McFadden of GAMESQ, PLC can help. As one of fewer than ten Arizona car accident lawyers who graduated from a top 20 law school (the University of Southern California Gould School of Law), Garrick brings exceptional legal expertise and a unique perspective to every case he handles.
At GAMESQ, PLC, Garrick will thoroughly evaluate your case during a free consultation. He’ll review factors like:
- The severity of your injuries.
- The extent of damage to your vehicle.
- Any disputes regarding liability.
Garrick will aggressively pursue maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Even in cases involving minor injuries like strains or sprains, he will work diligently to increase the liability attributed to the other driver and ensure you receive fair compensation.
7. Avoid Medical Providers on Lien Basis If You Have Health Insurance
It’s common for some personal injury lawyers in Arizona to send clients without health insurance to chiropractors or other medical providers on a lien basis. While this arrangement may seem convenient at first (as it allows providers to be paid from your eventual settlement), it often results in inflated medical bills that eat into your compensation.
If you have health insurance and your lawyer recommends treatment on a lien basis instead of using your insurance coverage, this is a red flag. Such practices prioritize maximizing provider payments over protecting your financial interests. At GAMESQ, PLC, an Arizona Black-owned car accident injury law firm, Garrick McFadden prioritizes transparency and client advocacy—ensuring that every decision made during your case serves your best interests.
8. Follow Through with Medical Treatment
To strengthen your personal injury claim and improve your recovery prospects, follow all recommended medical treatments after the accident. Attend follow-up appointments, complete physical therapy sessions if prescribed, and keep detailed records of all medical expenses.
Failing to follow through with treatment could give insurers grounds to argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed or that you failed to mitigate damages.
9. Know When Legal Representation Is Critical
While some minor accidents may not require legal representation, hiring an experienced attorney is crucial when:
- You’ve sustained injuries requiring ongoing treatment.
- There are disputes about fault.
- The at-fault driver’s insurance company offers a lowball settlement or denies liability.
Garrick McFadden has extensive experience negotiating with insurers and litigating complex car accident cases across Arizona. With his guidance, you’ll have a trusted advocate fighting tirelessly for justice on your behalf.
Take Action Today
The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming—but you don’t have to face it alone. By following these steps and seeking help from an experienced attorney like Garrick McFadden at GAMESQ, PLC, you can protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact GAMESQ today for a free consultation at gamesqlaw.com or call directly at 623-233-4416. With Garrick McFadden on your side: Your injuries are our fight—and your win is our mission.
