What to Do If You Are In An Accident​

 

 

No one wants to get hurt. However, car crashes are an everyday reality, and people get hurt and sometimes even killed in auto accidents. Here are some tips as to what to do.

 

First, most people do not know what to do at the scene of the accident itself. Part of this is lack of experience with the situation, part of it is the shock. As with anything, being prepared now will help you later.

 

• So, if there are any injuries, call 911 right away. If no one appears hurt, still call the police to have them come and complete a report.

• Take pictures, lots of pictures. Take pictures of the cars around you so witnesses can be located. Take pictures of the vehicles before they are moved to show location. Take pictures of the damages to all vehicles.

• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other drivers (a cell phone picture of the insurance card works well). Make sure the information is current, as many people keep old proof of insurance cards in the glove compartment.

• Do not talk about how the accident occurred or what happened with the other people. Only discuss this with the police, and try not to be too certain.

• Write down names and contact info for any witnesses. Again, the police may do this, but witnesses do not always wait around until the police arrive. In a pinch, you can take a picture of other cars stuck in the back-up so witnesses can be tracked down later.

• If injured, seek out medical attention sooner rather than later. You may not feel injured until a few hours later or even days later, but do not wait for the pain to go away. Also try to see your usual doctors.

• When you get home after the accident, write down how the accident occurred and draw a diagram. Also write down anything else you can think of about the accident.

• Call your own insurance company to report the accident and get a claim number. Be vague at this point about what injuries you have, as you would not yet know the full extent until seeing a doctor.

• Contact a personal injury attorney for a free consultation and follow their advice. They have dealt with this type of case many times, and they know how to handle it, while you likely have no experience with it.

• Start keeping a journal to record your injuries, how you feel, what has happened, what activities have you missed out on, and anything else you think the bad driver owes you. Also take pictures of your injuries, if they are visible such as bruises or cuts.

• Then, do not post anything to social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Vine, or Snapchat. Anything you say or tweet can and will be used against you at a later time, including in a court of law. That joke about winning the lottery because you got hit will not go over well with the jury. Or, that picture of you rock climbing two-weeks after the accident sort of defeats your claim that you can never walk again.

• Within 72 hours, file an accident report with the DMV. This is required if there were any injuries or if the damage to one vehicle is more than $1,500.

• Lastly, now is a good time to consider updating your insurance policy. Take some time to review what insurance you have to ensure you have enough for the next time you are in an accident. Do you want more PIP, do you need to add rental coverage, which are all good questions to discuss with your insurance agent.

 

 

Stevens & Legal has years of experience representing people who have been involved in accidents, including auto collisions, pedestrians, slip and falls, and dog bites. Let us put our experience to use on your behalf to help make you whole again.

 

We work on a contingency basis, meaning you do not owe us any attorney's fees unless we recover money for you. We can also assist with your property damage claims and with your no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.

 

The insurance company is not your friend, including your own insurance company. Their job is to pay you as little as they can, while our job is to make them pay to get you back to where you were. Call for a free, no obligation consultation.