A car accident can send your life into chaos as you deal with legal red tape and try and recover from any injuries at the same time. Here is a simple list of things you need to do right after an accident has occurred to protect yourself and make sure you don't forget anything:

Consult With A Lawyer Immediately

If you have been injured in an accident it is important you you consult with an attorney to go over your specific rights as they pertain to the accident that you were involved in. Before you accept any monetary payouts from an insurance company or sign off any documents consult with an attorney that can advise you first.

Some insurance companies will try to get people that suffered injuries in a car accident to take a onetime payout for their injuries. When you take the payout and sign off, that waives the insurance provider's responsibility from making future payments or covering future medical bills that might arise from the accident after the money is paid.

A lawyer that specializes in car accidents will be able to sit down and work one on one with their clients to keep their best interest in mind and protect their rights.

Take Photos Of Everything

A photograph is some of the best evidence that you can have to document the scene of the accident and injuries. Take photographs of everything including the damage done to both vehicles, including the position of both cars at the scene. Make sure you document where the stop lights or stop signs are located at in conjunction with where the accident happened. Most importantly is to take photos of all injuries sustained in the accident, even if they don't feel like major injuries. Every injury should be photographed and documented as some injuries like whiplash can show up even a few weeks after the accident has taken place.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention & Keep Records

If you consult with a doctor for injuries ask them to document everything with a doctor's note and outline exactly what the problem is and where it stems from. Keep all receipts from treatments that have been provided by doctors, chiropractors, therapists and other medical professionals.

The insurance company may require you to pay the cost of treatment up front and then file the receipt with them to get reimbursed. If the case ever goes to trial in a court of law you have all the medical records that relate to your injury as can submit them to your lawyer to present as evidence in a court of law.

Enlisting the help of a car accident attorney will help you navigate through the red tape that is associated with an injury claim or anything related to the accident. Contact a professional like Master Weinstein Shatz Moyer, P.C. to learn more.