What to Do Immediately after the Motor Vehicle Accident: Steps #1 & #2

After being injured in a motor vehicle accident, you need to do the following:

# 1. Immediately stop your vehicle so that you can take care of the necessary items. Do not leave the scene of an accident as that can result in criminal charges. Call the police. The police will investigate, collect any important information and call ambulances for any injuries from this particular accident. Please remember that the police officer will ask you what happened, and any statement you give the police officer will be written down. Be careful with what you say and never say anything that could ultimately hurt you in regards to how the accident happened such as, “I think the accident was my fault.”

#2. After months go by, most people forget how an auto accident happens. It is very important to keep your own journal to record how the accident happened, while it is fresh in your mind, so that you can use this information at a later date to protect yourself or your family. The following things should be gathered: witnesses’ names and addresses, a rough diagram of the area, and any possible skid marks.

The Norfolk based personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles automobile, truck, and motorcycle injuries.  John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims.  Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010.  Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA, and always put the best interests of the our clients first.. The firm is recognized by other lawyers as “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service, for our top level of legal skill and highest ethical standards. If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us ( 757) 455 -0077 or contact through this website.