What To Do If You Are In A New Haven Auto Accident With A Building

You read that right, getting into a New Haven auto accident with a building does happen and it has happened in the past.  While not in New Haven, a good example of this is the recent crash that happened between a driver who is driving a Jeep and Staples High School in Westport, CT.  Getting into an accident with a building or other inanimate object is not the most common thing, but it happens frequently enough that you should be aware of how you should handle an accident such as this.

When an accident like this occurs the situations can be varied and unique so it is quite difficult to be prepared fully for an incident, but there will be similarities in all cases to make sure you are taken care of and you find the support you need to resolve the issue effectively.  Having a grasp of the basics of resolving this type of accident is the best way you can protect yourself from causing any further harm after the accident occurs.

Once the accident happens you may be in a state of shock or disbelief, especially if it occurs quickly and without warning, which most of these types of situations do.  Before you take any steps to move forward, take stock of yourself and your surroundings to make sure that you are not going to worsen the impact of the accident by moving or changing your situation in any way.  After you’ve determined that it is safe to do so, you can start taking the following steps to ensure you are protected as the process of resolving the accident gets under way.

Step #1: Remove yourself from the vehicle safely and step away from the scene of the accident.  In the case of the accident with Staples High School in Westport, it was discovered that after the accident happened a gas leak occurred as a result of the impact.  When you hit a building (in particular) you are also hitting the inner workings of a heating/cooling system, electrical system and any other wiring that is inside the walls of the building.  It is important that you remove yourself from the vehicle and get away from the scene of the accident in the event that there are unseen dangers present.

Step #2: Seek medical attention.  If there are first responders on the scene you may be seen by a medical provider who can assess any injuries you may have.  If it is deemed that you are ok to walk away from the scene without further follow up, you may do so, otherwise you should make sure you are seen by your preferred medical provider as soon as possible to document your injuries.

Step #3: Photograph the scene of the accident.  Taking detailed photos of the accident is a great way to protect your long-term interests and provide documentation to anyone who may need it like the police or your insurance company.  Good quality photos can easily be taken on your cell phone and should be securely saved until they are required for any action that may be taken in the future on your behalf.

Once you have followed these three steps you can breathe a little bit easier knowing that you took all the necessary precautions that are involved when you get into a New Haven auto accident whether you’re injured or not.  A situation where have gotten into an accident and there are no other drivers involved can be a little more complicated then one where you are in an accident with another vehicle so it is important that you take all the necessary steps listed above to protect yourself.

You may need to speak with an attorney if you get injured in an accident such as this.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will work with you on learning the details of your situation and protecting your long-term interests.