Car accidents are difficult enough to deal with when they take place on public roadways, but they can be even more complicated when they take place on private property. When an accident happens on private property, there is some chance the property’s owner or occupant—or both—could be held responsible for it.

If you are involved in a car accident on private property, knowing what steps to take is important. At a minimum, you should make sure you:

1. Get yourself to safety

2. Take plenty of photographs

3. Seek medical attention quickly

4. Find a lawyer to help you protect your rights

Here are some suggestions on steps to take to protect your right to compensation. Making sure you do the following will increase your chances of being able to get a settlement that will be adequate to cover your damages.

Make Sure You Are Safe Before You Do Anything Else

Before you take any further action, make sure you are safe. As soon as you are physically capable, you should get yourself to a safe location so you can report the accident and get yourself to a medical facility to be checked out.

Report the Accident to the Police

You will need to make sure the accident is documented properly, and getting the police to complete an accident report is an easy way to do that. Call the police and have them come to the scene of the accident so they can conduct an investigation, talk to you and anyone else who was involved or witnessed the accident, determine who was at fault, determine the cause of the accident, and issue any necessary citations.

Remember That a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Images are some of the most powerful evidence you will have to prove your claim, so make sure you get plenty of them. You should take pictures of the accident scene, all the vehicles involved and all the people who were involved, in addition to pictures of the specific injuries you have suffered.

Get Medical Treatment from Trained Professionals As Soon As You Can

As soon as an accident happens, the race against the clock begins. Your injuries need to be treated quickly so they do not have a chance to worsen. This means it is extremely important for you to have emergency medical personnel examine you as soon as possible so all your injuries can be diagnosed and properly treated.

Your long-term health could depend on it. Do not wait until it is too late. Be proactive. If you take initiative, you will thank yourself later.

Hire an Attorney to Guide You Through the Claim Process and Be Your Advocate

If you want to maximize your chances of recovering maximum compensation for all your injuries, you will need an attorney to represent you. Having an experienced professional on your side to guide you through the insurance claim process and stand up to the insurance company’s adjusters and attorneys will save you an enormous amount of stress.

Your lawyer will have been through all this before and will be able to argue your case to the insurance company persuasively. They won’t let the at-fault party’s insurers get away with tricking you into accepting a lowball offer.

Listen to What Your Medical Providers Tell You and Follow Their Advice

Getting medical treatment is not just about going to appointments and spending a few minutes with each of your medical providers. If you want the best chance of recovering from your injuries, you need to listen to what your providers are telling you and follow through with the plans they lay out for you.

Take your prescriptions, make it to your physical therapy appointments, do all the exercises in your home exercise program, and take all their advice to heart. They want you to recover, but you need to do your part.