Things You Should Do If You’re In an Auto Accident!
Auto accidents happen. Sooner or later, you will be involved in one whether the accident is your fault or someone else’s. Regardless of the situation, there are a number of things that you should always do immediately following an accident. The following list covers the basics.
- Always leave the cars where they are:
You will be tempted after an accident to get the cars out of the way so traffic can once again flow. Don’t do it. You want to preserve the scene as well as possible so that police or an accident reconstruction team have the best chance possible of piecing together what happened.
- Always take pictures of the scene:
Photograph the cars from every angle and take pictures of any debris resulting from the accident. Do your best to take pictures that show the debris in relation to where the vehicles came to rest after the collision.
- Always exchange contact information:
In this age of smartphones, it is easier than ever to quickly acquire the information you need. Simply take a picture of the other person’s driver’s license. Also write down the name of the other driver’s insurance carrier, agent, and policy number.
- Always call the police:
If it is the other party who is at fault, don’t be surprised if they don’t want to involve the police. Use your better judgment and call them anyway. Police can create reports and interview witnesses and that documentation will often help you in court. With a detailed police report, witness statements, and other relevant information, a lawyer can help you even if you think you might be at fault.
- Always report the accident to both insurance carriers:
Again, if the other party is at fault, he or she might not want to involve the insurance companies. It is never a good idea to settle things between yourselves. You don’t have to necessarily file a claim, but reporting the accident is a must if the situation escalates and you need to go to court. Furthermore, contact a lawyer to report the accident for you. Insurance companies will lead you in their questioning to incriminate yourself and not pay the claim as you are entitled.
- Remain at the scene:
Hit and run is a criminal offense and can result in jail time in some states. No matter how bad the accident is, you must never leave the scene for any reason.
- Keep your language neutral regarding fault:
Never apologize or declare that you are at fault in an accident, even if you think you are. Let the system sort out the details. You might be surprised what an investigation uncovers. In many cases, if you admit guilt to the police or the other driver, the opposing insurance company has all the ammo it needs to hold you responsible, even if it turns out you aren’t.
- Decline any request to sign documents at the scene or hospital:
Always run any paperwork by an attorney before signing it, especially if you have been injured. Don’t get coerced or intimidated into signing any document, either by a police officer, the other party in the accident, or hospital staff. Tell them you want to run it by an attorney and then call us at the number listed below.
For FREE legal advice:
Gardner Injury Law has 36 years experience and over $120 million in recovered compensation from personal injury cases, workers’ compensation, social security disability, and medical malpractice.
Please contact us at 770-933-8661 or use our FastTrack system on the homepage to schedule a time to discuss your situation. Steven Gardner can be emailed directly Steven@stevenwgardner.com
