After an accident, it can be hard to know what happens next or what you should do to protect yourself. Below is a general overview of the accident process in Massachusetts, including medical care, police reports, insurance communication, and when it may be in your best interest to speak with a lawyer.
What to Do After an Accident
If you or a loved one were in an accident, you should:
- Call 911
- Get medical care
- Take photos if it’s safe
- Get witness contact information
- Avoid recorded statements before obtaining legal guidance
- Save bills, records, photos, and communication
Post-Accident Order of Events
1. Emergency Responders Are Contacted
In the immediate moments after an accident, 911 may be called. This is an imperative first step if one or more people are hurt.
2. Injuries Are Assessed by Paramedics
When paramedics arrive, they will triage injuries according to their severity. Individuals who are hurt may need to be stabilized at the scene before it’s safe to move them.
3. Injured Individuals Are Transported for Medical Care
When safe to do so, paramedics will transport injured individuals to the hospital to receive further treatment. In fatal accidents, additional procedures may be required before the scene is cleared.
4. The Accident Scene Is Secured
After critical injuries are tended to, the police or fire department will secure the scene. This usually involves blocking traffic and creating a detour. If news crews or family members show up, they generally will not be allowed within a certain distance of the collision to protect evidence.
5. Photos Are Taken
Police officers at the scene will typically take photos before anything else is removed from the scene. However, sometimes pictures will be taken with victims still in the position they were in immediately after the wreck if doing so does not interfere with providing medical care.
Photos are a crucial component of the evidence that will be used later to reconstruct the accident. They also show how serious the accident was and can be used to demonstrate the severity of resulting injuries.
6. Statements Are Provided by Witnesses
If anyone who was nearby at the time of the crash saw the accident, police will likely ask them to provide a statement. If a witness can’t do this on the scene, officers will usually request their contact information so they can be reached later.
7. Vehicles Are Removed
Once all possible evidence is obtained, vehicles are towed from the scene, and the street is opened back up to public traffic.
8. Insurance Companies Are Called
Both drivers should report the accident to their insurance companies as soon as is practicable. Typically, this is done on the same day as the collision, but exactly when depends on the sequence of events and necessary medical care.
9. Medical Care Is Recommended for Non-Critical Injuries
Individuals who were not seriously injured should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. The reason for this is twofold: not only does it make absolutely sure there are no internal or hidden injuries, but it also establishes medical records on the date of the crash. These can become critical later when insurers or lawyers are determining how someone was hurt.
10. The Accident Scene Is Reconstructed
In the days and weeks following the accident, the scene is reconstructed by professionals who can use the available evidence to piece together the timeline of what happened.
11. Insurance Companies Interview Those Involved
After the accident is reported, insurance adjusters will conduct their own investigation into what happened. Usually, this includes speaking with anyone who was involved in or saw the crash happen. Before giving a recorded statement to another party’s insurance company, consider speaking with an attorney so you understand your rights.
12. Fault Is Determined
Fault is usually first evaluated by the insurance companies. While the police report can be important, the officer who responded to the scene may not have the final say on who is legally responsible. If the insurance companies disagree or the case cannot be resolved through a settlement, fault may be decided by a judge or jury.
When to Talk to a Massachusetts Accident Lawyer
If you were in an accident, you should talk to a lawyer as soon as you can. An attorney will play an active role in the investigation of your accident so your rights are protected at each stage. They can also collect evidence, talk with insurance adjusters, and litigate your claim in court if negotiating a fair settlement isn’t possible.
How Mazow McCullough, PC Can Help
If you or someone you love were involved in a collision, our Massachusetts accident lawyers are available now to take your call. We’ve won millions in verdicts and settlements for our clients and understand what it takes to bring a compelling claim forward to advocate for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (978) 904-2844 or toll-free at (855) 546-2117 to learn more or to schedule your free case evaluation.
