What To Do After A Car Accident

According to City Data, in 2019, in the city of Tacoma, there were 16 fatalities resulting from car accidents. Four of those fatal accidents involved impaired drivers, and 7 pedestrians were involved in those fatal accidents. Certainly, all car accidents do not involve a fatality, yet the aftermath can be difficult, even traumatic. It is important that you fully understand what to do after a car accident.

Being involved in a car accident can leave you shaken and unsure of what you need to do next. You could have serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment, and you could be unable to return to work as a result of those injuries. Medical expenses and the inability to earn a paycheck can cause financial anxiety and stress.

Having a strong, experienced Tacoma car accident attorney like Blake Kremer as your advocate following a car accident is crucial. Knowing what to do after a car accident is equally crucial as your immediate actions can help your attorney build a solid claim on your behalf. Blake Kremer is one of the few injury attorneys that has dedicated himself and his practice to representing those seeking social justice. He does this because he has the experience and skills necessary to protect and advocate for those who might otherwise not have quality representation.

Attorney Blake Kremer is a third-generation attorney who learned strong client advocacy from his father and grandfather. Blake—and by extension, his law firm—shows a strong pattern of service to clients and to his community. In short, Blake represents many who might not otherwise have found justice, often winning against immense odds.

Blake does a significant amount of pro bono work, including victim advocacy, hospice work, and work for a pediatric HIV/AIDS support organization. Throughout Blake’s life as a practicing attorney he has found it rewarding to help those around him advocate for what is right. He wants justice for all of his clients. Some of the more notable settlements Blake has obtained on behalf of his clients include:

• A $2,000,000 wrongful death settlement for the family of a drowning victim
• A $950,000 settlement for a client who was run over in a crosswalk
• A $775,000 settlement for a client injured in a semi-truck accident
• A $250,000 settlement for a student injured on a school campus
• A $39,869 settlement for a client injured in a dog attack

Overview of What to Do After a Car Accident That is Not Your Fault

Knowing what to do after a car accident (and what not to do) can make a significant difference in the settlement you ultimately receive for a car accident that was not your fault. First and foremost, do your best to stay calm. Being involved in a car accident can be a distressing event, particularly when injuries are involved. Do your best to remain composed so you can remember the following:

• If you are injured—or if your passengers or those in the other vehicle are injured—your first priority will be to call for an ambulance and receive medical attention. During a car accident, your body is flooded with adrenaline. This adrenaline rush often masks injury symptoms, so while you may think you are “fine,” you may actually have serious injuries.
• Call 911 so you will have a police report. In some cases, the at-fault driver may ask that you do not call 911 and that they will “take care of” any damages to your vehicle. A person who has no auto insurance, one that is driving while impaired could ask you not to call the police. The police should be called in virtually every car accident unless it truly is a very minor fender-bender and you are absolutely certain there are no injuries.
• Exchange information with the other driver. You need to exchange contact information as well as insurance information.
• Take photos of the scene of the accident. Use your cell phone to snap some photos of the vehicles and the scene, making sure you get a photo of the license plate of the other vehicle.
• If there were witnesses to the accident, jot down witness contact information
• Never admit any level of fault at the scene. Even if you think you may have been at least partially to blame for the car accident, this is not the time to say that. First of all, you may bear no responsibility for the accident, and it’s hard to “walk back” an initial statement. Do not even tell the other driver “I’m sorry.” While you may mean nothing more than you’re sorry the accident occurred, this statement can be taken as an admission of guilt.
• As soon as you are home, notify your own insurance company. Give your insurance company just the facts regarding your accident. If you are notified by the other driver’s insurance company, it is important that you speak to an experienced Tacoma car accident attorney before you give a statement to the at-fault party’s insurance.
• Keep a file with all your medical receipts. These receipts will be a key component in your eventual settlement amount.
• Jot down every single detail you remember about the accident. Just as with your medical receipts, even the smallest detail could end up being important.
• Contact experienced, knowledgeable Tacoma car accident attorney, Blake Kremer, from the Law Office of Blake Kremer.

There are also a couple of things you should not do after a Tacoma car accident. You should not discuss your car accident on social media under any circumstances. Insurance adjusters are always looking for a way to deny your claim, so do not give them a reason. You should also never accept the first settlement offer the insurance company gives you. Their goal is to pay as little as possible—an amount that may not fully cover your injuries and lost wages.

How Important is a Police Report and How Do You Obtain the Report After Your Car Accident?

As noted, a police report can be an invaluable resource following a car accident. In the state of Washington, the cost of a police report ranges from $6 to $20, depending on how you obtain it. You will need to provide information such as your name, DL number, vehicle plate number, date and time of the accident, location of the accident, and your contact information. For more information on obtaining your police report, visit the following website.

What are the Statutes of Limitations for a Tacoma Car Accident?

You have a specific window of time in which to file a claim for your Tacoma car accident. This window of time is known as the statutes of limitations and vary from state to state. In the state of Washington, the statutes are three years from the date of the accident. While you do have three years, the sooner you file your claim, the sooner you will receive a settlement for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

How Blake Kremer Can Help

While knowing what to do after a car accident is extremely important, hiring a Tacoma car accident attorney like Blake Kremer who will be a strong advocate for you is equally important. Blake (and by extension, his law firm) has a long history of service to the community. Attorney Blake Kremer often takes injury cases others might consider unwinnable, recovering large settlements for his clients.

Depending on the circumstances, Blake will take cases that involve questions of liability, even though many attorneys avoid such cases. At the Law Office of Blake Kremer, Blake sees litigation as a tool to obtain justice for clients. No matter the challenge, Blake Kremer knows the questions to ask and the answers you need. Contact the Law Office of Blake Kremer today. Call (253) 830-5844 today to speak with Attorney Blake Kremer, or (253) 368-4382 to speak with Kate, Blake’s paralegal.