What to Do in the First Twenty Four Hours After a Car Wreck in Selma

The first twenty four hours after a car wreck in Selma decide more than people realize. The decisions made at the scene and in the hours after set up the medical record, the insurance file, and the legal case. Most of those decisions cannot be undone. The best thing a person can do is to know the playbook before the wreck happens. Here is what this office hands to every new client.

Step one is to get safe. If the cars can be moved and the location is dangerous, move them. Turn on hazards. Step two is to call 911 always, even if damage looks minor. A Selma Police Department report or Dallas County Sheriff's Office report is the foundation of every personal injury case in this region. Step three is to get medical attention. Vaughan Regional Medical Center is the local emergency facility. Adrenaline masks pain. Soft tissue injuries do not show their full effect for 48 hours. A medical record dated to the day of the wreck is far more valuable than one that starts three weeks later.

Step four is to document. Photographs of every vehicle from every angle. The road. Traffic controls. The other driver's license plate. Visible injuries. A short video walk around is even better. Step five is to exchange information. Names, licenses, insurance, plates, phones. Step six is to identify witnesses and get their phone numbers before they leave. Step seven is what NOT to do: do not apologize, do not admit fault, do not speculate. Those words sound like admissions to an insurance carrier.

Step eight is to call your own insurance carrier. Report the wreck. Do not give a recorded statement to the OTHER driver's carrier yet. Step nine is to save every piece of paper in one folder. Step ten is to think carefully before posting about the wreck on social media. Carriers screenshot Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Even an innocent post can be used against you.

The Alabama statute of limitations on a personal injury claim runs from the date of the wreck. Two years. Do not wait. Even if you do not retain a lawyer, do the ten steps above on day one. The Law Offices of Elliott Owen Lipinsky takes personal injury cases on a contingency fee. No fee unless we recover. Call (334) 230-7986.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I call the police after a car wreck in Selma even if the damage looks minor?

A: Yes. You should always call 911 after a wreck, even when the damage looks minor. A Selma Police Department report or Dallas County Sheriff's Office report is the foundation of every personal injury case in this region.

Q: Why should I get medical attention right away if I do not feel badly hurt?

A: Adrenaline can mask pain right after a wreck, and soft tissue injuries often do not show their full effect for 48 hours. A medical record dated to the day of the wreck at a facility such as Vaughan Regional Medical Center is far more valuable than one that starts three weeks later.

Q: How long do I have to file a personal injury claim after a car accident in Alabama?

A: The Alabama statute of limitations on a personal injury claim runs from the date of the wreck, and it is two years. You should not wait, and even if you do not retain a lawyer, it is important to follow the recommended steps starting on day one.

Q: Is it okay to post about the wreck on social media or give a statement to the other driver's insurance company?

A: No. You should think carefully before posting about the wreck on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, because insurance carriers screenshot posts and even an innocent one can be used against you. You should report the wreck to your own insurance carrier but avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver's carrier right away, and you should never apologize, admit fault, or speculate at the scene, since those words can sound like admissions to an insurance carrier.