Thinking clearly after a disorienting event like a car accident can be a challenge for most people, even those who believe they would otherwise have it all together.

While the accident itself is dangerous physically, the aftermath can put a driver and his or her passengers in many other kinds of peril, some of which are not obvious.

This is one among many reasons every driver and passenger at an accident scene should be circumspect about their actions and words. Doing or saying the wrong thing at the wrong time can create all kinds of unintended legal problems.

Fortunately, there are some things that can be done to help mitigate these possible negative repercussions, and for the most part, they don't require complicated planning or extraordinary effort. If you want to be well prepared for the eventuality of a car accident, here are some things to consider.

Remain Silent

Most people involved in a car accident could be facing considerable financial peril. From a legal standpoint, there is much more to consider.

Any accident scene has the potential to become a crime scene, and if you are a driver involved in an accident, it may not take much to go from victim to suspect, especially if the circumstances of the incident are ambiguous.

Since most states require the police to be notified if the damage at an accident scene exceeds a minimal amount, chances are there will be law enforcement officers present while you are waiting for car transport and exchanging insurance information.

If asked, your attorney will tell you that you should not to answer any questions about the circumstances of the accident at the scene. Do what you must in terms of providing identification and other paperwork, but otherwise, it may be in your best legal interest to wait until you have spoken with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Gather Evidence

Many drivers fail to recognize the fact that modern technology gives them a towering advantage at the scene of an accident, even if it may have been partially their fault. The ability of the average person to gather evidence from an accident scene is formidable. Almost every person who is old enough to have a license also has a cellular device, so use its capabilities to your advantage by taking photos and recordings of the scene.

Drivers should be certain to capture every license plate and take as many pictures of the damage from as many angles as possible. Pictures and details of road conditions, local addresses, street signs, paperwork, traffic signals and the locations of nearby surveillance cameras can also help your case later on. If possible, any witness statements should be captured on video at the scene.

Your personal injury attorney will agree the party who can reconstruct the accident scene later in court is going to have an advantage in defending their driving privilege and finances.

Let An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Help You

If you have ever tried to make an insurance claim, you know your insurance company is looking for any excuse to deny you coverage. This is the key reason you should not launch a freewheeling discussion of the details of the accident with your insurance company on your own.

You need someone who is looking out for your best interests. The potential financial benefits of letting someone who knows the ins and outs of personal injury claims are exponential, and it far outweighs the minimal expense of retaining an advocate in the first place. Get the coverage you paid for by letting your personal injury attorney do the talking.

Contact Kohn Law Office at (760) 710-0190 for a no-fee, no obligation consultation.