Nobody wants to be in a vehicular accident, and yet it is one of the most common causes of personal injury these days. In fact, there is an average of 300,000 car accidents that happen in Canada every year, so this is something that everyone should not take lightly.

Knowing what to do if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident is important. Here are some of the things you need to know:

Immediate Medical Attention is Important

One common mistake that people make when they are involved in a minor accident is putting off going to the hospital because they don’t feel hurt. But injuries can take time to manifest due to the adrenaline from the accident. You might not feel it right away, but pain can present itself later on. Waiting until that time can hurt your chances of getting fair compensation from your insurance company. They can argue that you contributed to your injuries by delaying your treatment.

So, whether it is a minor accident or not, it is important to get immediate medical attention. Get yourself thoroughly checked by a doctor.

Take Records of the Accident Scene

If you are able, document the accident scene by taking photos and videos. You need these documents when filing an insurance claim. It will help with the investigations and ensure that you get a fair one.  

If you are not capable of taking documents due to injuries, make sure you ask someone to do it for you or obtain the records from a witness or police. It’s also important to take photos of your injuries.

File a Police Report

Even minor accidents need to be reported. A formal report is needed so you can also file for an insurance claim. The police will also do their investigations and help you obtain necessary footage, such as CCTV footage, to support your claim.

File an Insurance Claim

File your insurance claim. Submit all documents that will support your claim. Your insurance company will need you to complete some forms so make sure these are all submitted.  

Talk to an Injury Lawyer in Vancouver

You might be wondering: “Is it necessary to get the help of an injury lawyer in Vancouver?”. The thing about filing for an insurance claim and dealing with motor vehicle-related personal injury is that it can be hard to get the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies might try to low-ball you. This is why you need someone experienced in the negotiation process so you can get the full value of your claim.

So go ahead and talk to an injury lawyer in Vancouver with a lot of experience representing people for their injury claims, such as Lakes, Whyte LLP.

Nikolas Lowry is the author of this article. To know more about Litigation Lawyers in North Vancouver, BC, please visit our website: lakeswhyte.com.