The moment of impact during a car accident is usually unexpected and can throw you for a loop. But if you are injured in such an accident, it's important that you keep your wits about you in the moments that follow if you want to preserve your chances of receiving financial compensation. Here are three tips to keep in mind if you sustain an injury in a car wreck.

Keep All Medical Documentation

Obviously, the first thing you need to do if injured is get medical attention. During this process, be sure to obtain a copy of every single medical document issued by the hospital about your condition. If you only notice the injury the next day after the shock wears off, start keeping your own personal journal detailing how the injury is affecting your everyday life.

Obtain a Police Report and Seek Out Witness Statements

If you are injured but not in critical condition, it's okay to wait at the scene of the accident for the police to arrive. You will want the police to issue a full report of what happened so there is an official account to review. You also never know what the driver that hit you will try to say in the coming weeks, so getting an official report on the accident can be very beneficial. If you are feeling up to it, you could also try obtaining contact information for any witnesses nearby who saw the accident. With a little luck, they will still be there when the police arrive and have their comments entered into the official report. Don't be afraid to be proactive about this.

Contact an Attorney

If the damage to your body is obvious, you may be able to seek financial compensation from the party that hit you. To maximize your chance of success, you will want a personal injury attorney on your side. An attorney can help you obtain the medical documentation from the hospital and might be able to use information in the police report to track down witnesses for additional information. Having an attorney will also be handy when dealing with the insurance companies.

If you are injured in a car accident, stay focused and obtain as much information as you can, including medical records, witness statements, and, ideally, an official police report of what happened. Most importantly, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to get the ball rolling on a potential settlement.

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