Right after you have been in a car accident, there are a number of things that you need to make sure happen in order to ensure that you are safe and that you have the information that you need to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit if necessary.

1. Call the Police

After an accident, you should call the police. If you have a cell phone, use that to call the police. If you don't have a cell phone, try to flag someone down to call the police or walk to a nearby business and have them call the police.

Calling the police achieves two different things. First, it shows that you stayed at the scene of the accident. Even if the accident is minor, you don't want to get written up for fleeing the scene of the accident. In some jurisdiction, you can get written up for fleeing the scene, even if you exchange information with the other driver, always wait for the police if possible.

Second, calling the police allows an accident report to be created by a third-party. A third party will be able to documents exactly what happened and what they saw. This creates another witness of the accident scene outside of the individuals involved in the accident.

2. Get Medical Assistance

After a car accident, you should always get medical assistance and a check-up. You don't have to take an ambulance to the hospital if you don't want to, but you should get a check-up. You can get a check-up at your doctor's office, at a local urgent care, or at the nearest emergency room.

Even if you think you feel fine, it is still a good idea to get a check-up. A check-up can help identify trauma that you may not have even realized occurred because of the adrenaline that tends to run through one's body after an accident. Adrenaline and shock can mask injuries, which is why you should be seen by a medical professional.

3. Contact an Attorney

Finally, contact a personal injury attorney who works with car accident victims. A personal injury attorney can help walk you through the process of what to do after an accident. They can help you talk with your insurance company and make sure that you get access to the benefits that you pay for. If necessary, they can help you document and gather the evidence needed for a personal injury lawsuit.

After an accident, you should call the police, get medical assistance, and then contact an auto accident lawyer.