7 Things to do if you get in a car accident
June 3, 2017, Joseph Johnson, Esq.
No matter how small, being in a car accident can be a terrifying and traumatic event. Here are the first things you should do in order to protect yourself:
1. Check on All Drivers and Passengers: Your first priority after getting in a car accident should be the safety of yourself and of everyone involved. Check yourself and your passengers for any pain or obvious injuries. Then, make sure the people in the other vehicle are okay. If anyone appears to have a serious injury, call for medical attention.
2. Call the Police: Many people call the police after an accident only if there is serious property damage or injury. However, it’s a good idea to call the police even if there doesn’t appear to be any significant damage, as your injuries may not be readily apparent. Make sure to ask the police to file a report, and get the names and badge numbers of the officers. You may need this information for your claim or for court.
3. Exchange Information/DO NOT Discuss Liability or Apologize: It is important to exchange information with the other driver(s) after an accident. Remain calm and cooperative and be sure to collect the driver’s name, phone number, license plate number and insurance information. Obtain the names, phone numbers and addresses of passengers and witnesses. DO NOT discuss who is at fault and DO NOT apologize for anything you may have done that might have led to the accident. It might not always be clear immediately after an accident who is at fault, and by apologizing you may be admitting legal liability.
4. Document Everything/Take Pictures: If you have a camera or a camera phone with you at the time of the accident, take photographs of your vehicle and any injuries that you or your passengers have sustained. If you do not have a camera with you, take photographs as soon as possible after the accident. Comparing before-and-after photos can be useful for your insurance adjuster and for court.
5. Inform Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company that you have been involved in an accident. Be sure to cooperate fully with your insurance company and be honest with the facts. Lying to your insurance company about anything could result in loss of coverage for the accident. DO NOT talk to the other party’s insurance company.
6. Seek Medical Attention. After an accident, adrenaline flows and you may feel fine, even though you could be injured and just not know it yet. Often, injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents do not appear for several days following the accident. Even in accidents involving minor impact, you can sustain a serious and permanent injury. Unless you are absolutely certain you were not injured, you should seek medical attention at your local ER or by seeing your family physician.
7. Consult an Attorney: Perhaps the most important thing you should do after an accident is to consult an attorney. An attorney can protect your rights, maximize your recovery, and make sure valuable evidence is not destroyed. Often, insurance companies want to take statements immediately after an accident. It is important that you have received legal advice before providing such a statement. Your attorney can advise you on issues ranging from how to make sure you are fully compensated for your vehicle to how to make sure you are getting the best medical treatment available. Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no legal fee unless the attorney recovers compensation for your injuries.