Auto accidents can be frightening - especially when you are a passenger and have no control over the vehicle. Quickly contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer is an important precaution to help you preserve your right to compensation when one or more drivers have been negligent, causing you injury.

While this blog answers questions about Maryland accidents, our firm has a team of Virginia accident lawyers and DC accident lawyers ready to assist you.

After a collision, it is a perfectly normal reaction to want to tell ourselves and those around us: "I'm okay." But keep in mind that even if you don't leave the scene of an auto accident in an ambulance, you may have injuries you aren't aware of and that even slight pain or muscle tightness you may feel the day of the accident can be much worse a day or two later.

Gathering as much information as possible and contacting an auto accident lawyer as soon as possible will help you preserve your right to compensation for damages. You may be able to recover a significant settlement to pay:

∙ Medical bills
∙ Lost wages, including future wages
∙ Pain and suffering
∙ Emotional distress and
∙ Loss of enjoyment of life

At the time of the accident, if your injuries permit, as a passenger you will want to gather the same information as you would if you were a driver. Collect phone numbers, insurance and driver's license information; quickly get any names of witnesses; draw a diagram of the crash and take note of weather conditions. If a police officer is called to the scene, make sure to get his or her name and contact information.

Witnesses can be particularly important to establishing which of the drivers (possibly more than one) was negligent and will bear the responsibility for compensating you for your injuries. The meticulous documentation process continues after the accident. You should keep careful track of your medical bills (including other therapists like chiropractors, physical therapy and massage) and any time and wages lost from work. Make sure to get a doctor's disability note if you are going to miss work because of an auto accident injury. This can help preserve your employment as well as document the injury for which you are seeking compensation.

An experienced personal injury lawyer will consult with you for free and accept promising cases on what's called a "contingency" basis. That means you won't owe legal fees unless your auto accident attorney collects damages on your behalf.

If you are located in Maryland and are looking for representation, contact an experienced Rockville Criminal Lawyer for a free consultation.