Car Accident Lawyer Ventura
- grennierlaw
- Oct 16, 2015
- 3 min read
The First Steps After A Car Accident
A car accident is a stressful and dangerous event that can cause severe injuries and frantic emotions. The most important rule after an accident has occurred is to stay as safe as possible. There are several important things to remember to improve your safety and also to prepare for future legal actions.
Remain at the scene. Never leave the site of a car accident until you are told to do so by the authorities. If you leave, especially if someone has been hurt or killed, you can face criminal charges for a hit-and-run. Staying also allows you to take further preparative steps.
Check on everyone. Before concerning yourself with property damage, make sure everyone involved in the accident is ok, including passengers, drivers, and bystanders. Get medical attention to those who need it. If someone has back or neck injuries, do not move them unless a hazard makes their current location unsafe.
Call the police. After you make sure no one is in immediate peril, notify the police. Ask for a copy of the police report, and take note of all names and badge numbers for future reference.
Exchange information. Get the names, phone numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information from all drivers. Also get basic information from passengers involved. Make sure you are cooperative and nonaggressive.
Do not admit fault. You should never apologize for your actions or admit to anything, even if you think it was your fault. A car accident is a confusing and hectic event, and often it is not clear what exactly happened. Admitting fault can lead to legal liability later, so you should just avoid it.
Talk to witnesses. Get information from witnesses who observed the accident, including names and phone numbers.
Contact your insurance company. Tell your insurance company about an accident right away and be truthful about the event and the extent of your injuries. If your insurance company catches you lying, you may be denied any coverage. The police report can help back up your information.
Take photographs. Take photos of the accident site as soon as you can, even if it is with your phone. In particular, note the damage to your vehicle since this can help your insurance adjuster determine compensation. Pictures of your car before the accident can also be useful in court. Make sure that photos are taken at the scene with the vehicles at their points of rest. Oftentimes the debris shown on the roadway is very useful in showing what really happened.
Track all medical treatment. From the time of the accident onward, keep track of all doctors, therapists, and other medical personnel who treat you. Also keep track of who gives referrals to other medical specialists. Keep a detailed account of all medications, treatments, reports, and bills.
Track pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is more difficult to keep track of than medical treatment, and it’s up to you to clearly convey your condition. Record how the accident affects your daily life, including missed or reduced quality of work, family life, and other activities.
Obtain a property damage valuation. The insurance company will place a value on your vehicle. If you are unsatisfied with the result, you should get two repair estimates or replacement quotes from other reliable sources. If you cannot agree with your adjuster, an attorney can help.
Be careful when you discuss the accident. The only people you should talk to about the accident are your lawyer, your insurance company, and the police. If another insurance company calls you, politely direct them to your lawyer or insurer and notify them about the call.
Be cautious of early settlement offers. Before you agree to any settlements from an insurance company, make sure all of your injuries have been treated. Some injuries can appear weeks or even months after the event. Never sign a settlement without consulting your attorney.
Hire an attorney if you don’t have one. In a serious vehicle accident, you should seriously consider hiring an attorney who is experienced in such cases.
Comentários