What should I do if I am in an auto accident?
- Call 911 and advise them you have been involved in an accident. They will contact the police and, if necessary, an ambulance.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver. Make sure that you obtain all of the relevant information from the other driver(s). You will need their name, address and telephone numbers; the license tag, make, model and year of the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident; the owner of the other vehicle’s contact information if different from the other driver; and the other driver(s) insurance carrier information, including the policy number.
- Obtain the names and contact information of anyone who observed the accident. Sometimes people who saw the collision will stop for a short time, but leave before the police arrive. Other motorists, passengers or pedestrians can be important witnesses.
- Do not make any comments at the scene of the accident to other persons (excluding the police) as to how the accident occurred. Do not admit fault, you may not know exactly what happened.
- If you have a camera or camera phone, take some pictures of the automobiles involved and the scene of the accident.
- If you can, write down everything you remember from before, during, and after the accident while it is fresh in your mind.
- Report the accident to your insurance company.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance carrier.
- Contact a personal injury attorney to help you. To protect your rights you must act quickly and accurately after a motor vehicle accident. Dealing with the insurance carriers can be tricky and confusing and deciding fault can be complicated. You may have many questions about your rights and your claims. You may have questions about whether the insurance companies are treating you fairly. Do not jeopardize your rights. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately after any accident.
