If you have recently been injured in a car accident in Philadelphia, there are three critical steps you must take to protect your rights and your ability to file a personal injury claim. Neglect any one of these and you may compromise your ability to recover compensation for your injuries. Read on to learn more about these essential steps that you should take in every car accident regardless of the severity. It is always better to be safe than sorry in this situation. 
Take Pictures of the Scene
First of all, use your smartphone to capture pictures of the scene, the cars involved, and the product or thing that caused your injuries. Close up photos are not good- try to get a full perspective of the accident scene. Panoramic wide-angle photos are the best, since you can always zoom in later if you need to. When it comes to pictures, more are always better. As time passes, this crucial evidence may disappear, so you need to capture it immediately after the wreck. It can be hard to remember this when you are injured, but you should always take pictures.
Get Prompt Medical Care
Call an ambulance if you have been severely injured and report to the ER. Do not wait days to get an appointment with your primary care doctor who may refer you to specialists who cannot see you for weeks. Take care to always attend your medical appointments and speak to your doctor about how your conditions may impact you over the long run. Far too many people minimize the potential impact of their injuries and may skip follow-up appointments. This can be very detrimental to your health in addition to compromising your ability to recover compensation. 
It’s a good idea to also get copies of your medical records and to keep notes of everything that happens in your doctor’s appointments. This may prove to be crucial evidence down the road. Much like with pictures, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Don’t Play Attorney
Don’t play attorney by calling your insurance company or the other party’s insurance company. Never give a recorded statement to anyone. Never fill out any documents and submit them to anyone. Don’t do any of these things without first speaking with an attorney. Of course, speaking with a police officer at the scene or emergency medical worker at the scene or the ER is ok if it’s necessary or related to your care. In the best of all worlds, call your attorney for advice right from the scene of the incident.
You could say something that implies you’re at fault and it’s far better to wait for your attorney to evaluate the situation. Rather than trying to play attorney yourself, hire an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer as soon as an accident happens.