Multi-car pileups can cause serious injuries to all parties involved. Although car accidents involving two vehicles can be extremely dangerous, multi-car pileups typically present additional hazards to drivers and passengers. In addition, due to the number of parties involved, seeking financial compensation following a multi-car pileup can be complicated, which is why the assistance of an experienced car accident lawyer is recommended. In this article, we discuss the steps to take after a multi-car pileup in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Call the Authorities
The first thing you should do after being involved in a multi-car pileup is call the police. In addition to ensuring you receive medical attention at the scene of the accident, the authorities will create a police report. This report can be useful should you decide to pursue a legal claim for your injuries. In addition, depending on the circumstances, it may be legally required to remain at the scene and alert the authorities, so calling the police immediately is a good rule of thumb following any kind of automobile accident.
Obtain Medical Care
Even if you receive medical attention at the scene of the accident, you should follow up with a medical appointment. Sometimes, injuries don’t present symptoms immediately following an accident. Therefore, it is always a good idea to see a medical provider as soon as possible after an accident. In addition, evidence that you sought medical care after your accident can be helpful if you decide to file a legal claim.
Take Pictures and Videos
Pictures and videos can serve as valuable evidence in a personal injury or insurance claim. So, following a multi-car pileup in Charlotte, you should obtain photographic and video evidence of the accident. Specifically, you should collect footage of the following:
- Damage to all vehicles involved in the multi-car pileup
- Landmarks, street signs, and anything else that can help identify the accident’s location
- Visible injuries
- Road conditions and weather at the time of the accident
- Skid marks on the road
Collect Witness Statements
Another valuable form of evidence following a multi-car pileup comes from witnesses. If you are able to identify witnesses to the accident, you should request that they provide you with statements about the accident. Specifically, you should collect the following information:
- Witness names, phone numbers, and addresses
- Description of what they saw, where they stood during the accident, and any other relevant details
Collect Insurance and Contact Information
You should also obtain insurance and contact information for the other drivers involved in your multi-car pileup in Charlotte. Specifically, you should collect the following information from the other drivers involved in the accident:
- Driver names, phone numbers, and addresses
- License plate numbers
- Insurance information, including policy numbers and contact information
Contact a Charlotte Car Accident Attorney
Finally, if you’ve been hurt in a multi-car pileup in Charlotte, North Carolina, you should contact an experienced North Carolina car accident attorney as soon as possible. At Bradford Law, our experienced car accident lawyer will aggressively seek financial compensation on your behalf. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Charlotte car accident attorney.