What To Do In The First 24 Hours After A Sandusky Car Crash
In the first 24 hours after a Sandusky car crash, victims are often in a state of shock, in pain, and unsure of what to do next. However, decisions made during this time can have long-ranging impacts, jeopardizing both your health and your ability to get compensation.
Car accidents occur throughout Erie County on an unfortunately frequent basis, and all motorists need to be prepared. The area is well known as a busy corridor of economic activity that involves both local residents and tourists. Our experienced Sandusky car crash lawyers explain what to do at the scene and in the hours after to protect your rights in an injury claim.
Steps To Take At The Scene of a Sandusky Car Crash
Ohio Revised Code Section 4549.02 requires drivers involved in crashes or collisions resulting in property damage or personal injury to stop, offer assistance to victims, and exchange information with other drivers involved. Beyond that, what you do right after a crash lays the groundwork for everything that comes after, including your medical treatment and an injury claim.
If you are injured in an Erie County crash, take these steps immediately:
- Call 911, wait for responding officers, and request an official crash report.
- Collect the other driver’s contact and insurance info, license number, and information from any witnesses.
- Photograph all vehicles involved, license plates, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
- Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine initially, as symptoms of serious conditions often don’t appear until hours or days later.
- Do not apologize for the crash, speculate about fault, or describe your injuries to the other driver or their passengers.
Anything you say at the scene can be used against you later. Under Ohio’s modified comparative fault system, if the other driver can prove you were partially to blame, it could jeopardize your protect yourself and your rights to compensation.
How to Protect Your Rights in an Ohio Car Crash Claim
The actions you take in the first 24 hours after an Ohio car crash can impact your rights to compensation. To protect yourself, take these steps:
- Write down everything you remember about the crash while your memory is fresh.
- Notify your insurer, but only share basic facts.
- After an initial evaluation, follow all your doctor’s treatment recommendations, attend all follow-up appointments and adhere to activity restrictions.
- Preserve dashcam footage, the clothes you were wearing at the time, and other evidence.
- Do not give any recorded statements to insurers without speaking to an experienced Ohio car crash lawyer first.
While insurers often pressure victims to accept immediate, low-ball settlements, you have up to two years after a crash to file a claim under Ohio’s statute of limitations. Don’t let them pressure you into accepting less than what you deserve.
Contact Our Experienced Sandusky Car Crash Lawyers Today
At Murray & Murray, our Ohio car crash lawyers protect crash victims and their families, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and helping them get the maximum compensation in a claim. We serve clients throughout Sandusky, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to request a consultation.
Sources:
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4549.02
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2315.33
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2305.10