You should understand that the steps you take after a personal injury accident not only ensure your safety but also protect your legal rights. Although the situation immediately following an accident can be stressful, you should take the following steps to the best of your ability:

Seek medical attention immediately: If you are injured on the scene and unable to take care of yourself, wait for first responders to arrive and be sure any injuries or medical conditions are given the attention they need. Even if you don’t feel injured, you should seek medical attention at a hospital afterward, as some injuries like traumatic brain injury might not manifest until later. Failure to seek medical attention could actually affect your ability to collect damages in the long run.
Contact local authorities immediately: After a car accident or truck accident, you should call 911 right away to contact the authorities. That way, a police report can be filed, statements can be recorded, and the police can begin the preliminary steps of their investigation. When a lawsuit is filed, the police report can provide valuable information about the accident.
Reach out to a lawyer: You will want to get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as you are able to. An attorney can help you deal with the insurance companies involved and can act as your go-between so you’re not corresponding directly with the other side. The sooner you reach out to an attorney, the sooner they can help you with any legal requirements or forms and protect your legal rights.
Gather important evidence: If you are able to, collect any relevant and important evidence from the scene while you’re still there. This can include photos of any damage, the area where you fell (if the issue is a slip or trip and fall), skid marks, and notes of details like the time of the incident and conditions of the area where the accident occured. If you’re injured and unable to, don’t worry — it’s the job of an attorney to fully gather and prepare evidence for trial.
Don’t discuss fault or liability: Make sure not to admit to any fault when speaking with the other party or with an insurance representative. You may need to exchange contact information but remember that any statements you make regarding fault or liability could be held against you in upcoming legal proceedings.