What should I do If I am in an accident?

A: Immediately after the accident you should :

1.) Stop your car and determine whether there have been any injuries or damage to either vehicle. It can be a criminal offense in most states to leave the scene of an accident, no matter how minor or severe.

2.) Check for injuries. Do not try to move an injured person. Use discretion, and call an ambulance if needed.

3.) Call the police, making sure to report how many people are injured to assure an adequate emergency personnel response.

4.) Stay out of the way of oncoming traffic. If you have flares, set them out to warn surrounding traffic. If you do not have flares, turn on your hazards, or if possible raise the hood or trunk of your car.

5.) Exchange information with the other motorist. This should include all the information on both your driver’s license and insurance card, including name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance policy carrier and policy number, as well as contact info for the policy carrier. This information should be exchanged between all motorists involved.

6.) When the police arrive, cooperate fully and do not attempt to leave the accident scene until they have told you that you may. Provide the responding officers with a full accounting of the facts, but do not draw your own conclusions or admit guilt of any kind to anyone. Let your personal injury lawyer determine liability later.

7.) See if there are any witnesses to the accident, and if so, take down their contact information. Ask the responding police officer to give you the information needed to get a copy of the police report later.

8.) Write down as many details as you can, to keep them fresh and distinct in your memory. Write down the location, the speed you were going, the traffic around you, the weather conditions and any other information that might be important. If you accident results in a personal injury case that eventually goes to litigation, these notes may prove invaluable to your personal injury lawyer.

9.) Never admit to being at fault, even if you believe you are. Stay neutral on the subject, as there may have been other contributing factors. The other driver may share the fault, as well. No matter the circumstances, an admission of guilt before you consult your personal injury attorney can only hurt you later on.

As soon as possible after the accident you should:

1.) Photograph the damage to your car and any injuries you have sustained.

2.) Gather all your insurance policy papers, review them, and then contact your carrier and inform them of the accident. Do not fill out paperwork of any kind or give a recorded statement to your insurance carrier before speaking with a automobile accident personal injury attorney. Your initial phone call to your carrier is simply to inform them of the accident.

3.) See your doctor or physician as soon as possible. Even if you are only experiencing a minor soreness now, it can be an indication of a more severe injury that will fully surface later. Auto accidents often result in neck or spinal injuries that may not be apparent at first. These injuries can be crippling and damaging for a lifetime, but because their full extent may not be apparent until months after the accident, insurance carriers often claim that they are the result of some other injury after the accident. In these cases, it is best to see a physician immediately following your accident if you have even a slight suspicion that something may be wrong. Some warning signs may be headaches, soreness, memory loss or disorientation, nausea, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, or any unusual fluid or blood in your ears or your nose.

4.) Organize all insurance policy information and all of the information collected at the accident scene, including any notes and the names and information of anyone involved in the accident, including witnesses. Also obtain a copy of the police report. Then, you are ready to obtain legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer familiar with car accidents in the state where the accident occurred.

5.) As your case progresses, keep detailed accounts and receipts for any expenses accrued through pursuit of compensation. These can include travel expenses, medical bills, and other related costs. You should also keep notes on the emotional affects of the injury on your and your family. All of this information will be valuable to your personal injury attorney when he or she pursues your case.

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