What To Do If You’re In A Multi-Car Accident

Taking the right steps after a multi-car accident can optimize your safety and improve your chances of recovering proper compensation from an insurance company.

Being involved in any sort of car accident has the potential to leave a victim with serious injuries. If you’re ever in an accident in Massachusetts involving more than one other vehicle, your odds of being significantly harmed are even greater than they would otherwise be.

This will hopefully never happen to you. If it does, though, protect yourself and your rights by taking the following steps after your accident:

Check for Injuries

Unless you are in immediate danger, this should always be the first step you take in the aftermath of a car accident. Be aware that adrenaline can prevent you from noticing injuries. Don’t assume you are unharmed simply because you are not in any major pain. Thoroughly check your entire body for any injuries you may have sustained, and address them accordingly. You must also check your passengers for injuries.

Get to Safety

Move to a safe spot away from traffic after checking for injuries and addressing them. Carefully but quickly decide upon the best way to get to safety.

After some car accidents, a motorist may still be able to drive their vehicle to the side of the road or another location where it will not be at risk of sustaining additional damage. However, if your accident involved multiple vehicles, it is likely your vehicle is not safe to operate. Unless you are absolutely certain you can drive it without risking further injury, it’s best to move to a safe spot on foot.

Check on Others Involved in the Accident

If you are relatively unharmed and therefore have the ability to check on the condition of others who may have been injured in the collision, do so promptly. Attend to any of their immediate medical needs if necessary.

It is imperative that you remain calm at this stage. Although you may be tempted to confront another driver if you strongly believe an accident occurred as a result of their actions or negligence, you must control your emotions right now. Additionally, it is best not to make statements to others regarding the accident while in pain or in a fragile state.

Call the Police

Don’t assume others involved in your multivehicle accident will call the police to report it. Even if you believe they are already doing so, err on the side of caution and call 911 yourself as well.

Exchange Contact and Insurance Information

As you wait for the police to arrive at the scene of the accident, get the names and contact information of other motorists involved in the accident. Get their insurance information as well.

Massachusetts is technically a no-fault state in regard to car accidents. In many other states, someone who was injured in a car accident can file a claim to collect from the insurance of the negligent party who caused it when seeking compensation for such losses as their medical bills and lost wages.

That’s not typically the case in Massachusetts. In our state, your own insurance is responsible for compensating you after a collision.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking this means you don’t need the insurance information of the other drivers. If your injuries and/or losses are particularly severe and meet a certain threshold, you might be able to recover additional compensation beyond that provided by your own insurance provider. You can do so by filing a separate claim or lawsuit against the negligent party who caused your accident. You will need their insurance information to properly take such legal action.

Once the police give you permission to leave the scene, see a doctor right away.

Identify Witnesses

Several people may have witnessed your accident. Get their names and contact information. They might need to testify later if you a claim to collect from the insurance of a negligent motorist.

See a Doctor

It may be that your injuries require transport by ambulance to the nearest health facility. If not, however, once the police give you permission to leave the scene, see a doctor right away. Visit the nearest emergency room if your doctor is unavailable.

This is vital even if you do not believe you have been injured. Once more, adrenaline could be preventing you from noticing injuries such as a concussion.

If you have been injured, getting proper treatment as soon as possible will play an essential role in your recovery. You will also have less difficulty recovering compensation from the insurance company if you can demonstrate a link between your injuries and your accident. Seeing a doctor in the immediate aftermath of your accident will help you in this capacity.

Review Your Case With a Car Accident Attorney

Avoid corresponding directly with another party’s insurance adjuster after your accident. Insurance adjusters are encouraged to protect their employer’s financial interests by offering as little compensation as they can justify.

Research indicates you will be more likely to arrive at a fair settlement if you hire an attorney to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Additionally, if you do have grounds to file a claim against a negligent party, if your accident involved multiple vehicles, identifying the liable parties will almost certainly require conducting a thorough investigation.

Our Boston car accident attorneys at Swartz & Swartz, P.C., have the resources and expertise necessary to interview witnesses, acquire and review any photos/footage of the accident that may be available, and take all other steps necessary to optimize your chances of recovering the full amount of compensation for which you may be eligible. If you have been injured in a multivehicle accident in the Boston area, learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us online or calling us at (617) 742-1900 to schedule your free consultation.

Need Help?

If you or someone you know, needs help from a lawyer, contact the law offices of Swartz & Swartz, use our live chat, or send us a message using the form below and we’ll get in touch to assess your case and how we can help.