It is distressing when you have a car accident and that is even more reason to not make any statements at the time the accident occurs. The car accident process and settlement procedures rely on those statements as a beginning point, so admitting blame can make it difficult to get everything due you after accident investigation. You should seek immediate medical attention for any injuries, gather information to be used during the settlement process, and consult an attorney.
What to Do at the Time of the Accident
There are specific steps you should follow at the time of the accident.
- Move Your Car if Possible – Move your car to the side of the road if possible and allowed by state law, and turn on your hazard flashers.
- Call for Medical Attention if there are Injuries
- Exchange Personal Information, Vehicle ID Number, Proof of Insurance Information – Exchange names, addresses, auto registration information and insurance company names with all other drivers involved in the accident.
- Obtain the Names and Badge Numbers of Responding Police
- Draw a Diagram of the Event and Make Notes About Circumstances - Note the weather condition, road conditions, status of road equipment (red or green light, inoperable light, missing road signs etc.), statements made by others at the scene of the accident.
- Obtain the Names and Addresses of Witnesses
- Do Not Make Any Statements – This is often the biggest mistake people make. They admit blame before all the circumstances have been investigated.
- Notify Your Insurance Company – Provide all the information you collected.
Consult an Attorney
Auto accidents can lead to civil suits and/or criminal charges after an investigation has been completed. Other than a fender bender, where it is certain damages are less than $5,000 and no one was injured, it is important to consult an attorney for several reasons.
First, a personal injury lawsuit may be filed by you, passengers in your car or other victims. Also, the police may file criminal charges if negligent driving caused the accident leading to injuries. Second, injuries often appear after the accident and not during. Third, the insurance company may not agree to settle for what you consider a fair amount forcing you to file a lawsuit.
An initial consultation with an attorney after an accident gives assurance that all the accident facts and issues are addressed.
