When you are involved in a car accident, things may happen so suddenly that you can fail to handle things properly. Nevertheless, if you are injured during the collision and you make statements that suggest you are somehow at fault for the incident, you could be forfeiting your accident-related compensation. Here are a few things you do should immediately after an auto accident to help ensure you receive maximum compensation if a personal injury case is eventually pursued:

Call the police.

Always call the police as soon as possible after a car accident. The official accident report will play an important role in the assigning of accident liability.

Stay put.

Remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. If you are not there to tell your side of the story, details of the incident may be misrepresented by the other driver. In addition, leaving the scene of an accident can be perceived as an admission of guilt.

Record the identifying information for the other vehicle or vehicles involved.

Make sure you have recorded the make, model, color, year and license plate number of the other vehicles involved. Your information may later be used to validate witness reports. 

Record the other driver's information.

The contact information of the other driver may be needed so that he or she can be easily reached later. Here is the information you should record:

• Name: Be sure to spell the name correctly. Simply hearing the name verbally does not ensure that it is spelled correctly.
• Phone number: Ask for home, work and cell numbers.
• Address: This will be needed if any information has to be mailed.
• Driver's license number
• Car insurance company: Be sure to record the policy number and the name of the policy holder if it is different from that of the driver.

Record witness information.

Record the contact information of any passengers who were in the cars as they collided. The passengers may later serve as witnesses in a personal injury case. In addition, the contact information of bystanders who saw the incident should be written down. 

Make notes about the time of day, weather, road conditions and site of the accident.

It is best to record this information while it is fresh in your memory. Take photos with your cell phone. The time and date stamp can help validate your description of the conditions surrounding the accident.

Write down notes about how the accident occurred.

Record your recollection of the accident. Include a diagram if possible. 

If you have been injured in a car accident that was due to someone else's negligence, schedule a consultation with a car accident attorney in your area.