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- Documenting the scene will help protect your legal rights and make it easier to claim compensation
- Seeing a doctor, even for minor injuries, is vital for maintaining a record of the accident
- Be prepared for an accident by keeping recording equipment in your car, an expert warns
Getting caught up in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. It’s easy to panic and forget what you should do to ensure the accident is properly recorded and reported.
Experienced personal injury attorneys John Foy & Associates reveal what to do if you are ever involved in a car accident. If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, injured in an accident, and looking at thousands of dollars in repair and medical costs, there are steps you can take to protect your legal rights and potentially claim compensation.
Carry recording equipment in your car
In case you are involved in or a witness to an accident, it’s a good idea to carry recording equipment in your car. Things like a phone camera, pencil, and paper can all be used to document evidence and take notes. Hopefully, you won’t need them, but it’s good to be prepared.
You should also bring your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration whenever you are driving. Emergency tools like flares and orange cones can also be helpful at the scene of an accident. Make sure your phone is fully charged before setting off on a car journey in case you need to call for an ambulance or the police.
Pull over and call the police
If you’re involved in an accident, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. Then, call the police to report the incident. Even if the accident seems minor, it’s important to have this report as evidence. You can get a copy of the report from the local law enforcement later.
Stick to the facts about the accident when speaking to law enforcement. It’s easy to feel upset or emotional when in a car accident but avoid admitting fault or apologizing to the other driver. Ask the police for their names, badge numbers, and the incident report number, and write these down.
Speak to the other driver and exchange names, phone numbers, and insurance information. Try to stay calm and polite and avoid assigning blame or apologizing.
Record the incident
If you or any of your passengers are injured, take photos if it is safe to do so. Speak to witnesses and write down their names and contact information.
Take photos or videos of the scene of the accident, as well as any damage to the vehicles. Take lots of pictures from different angles to get as full a picture as possible.
Make a note of the date, time, and location of the accident. After the incident, you can also keep a record of how it has impacted your day-to-day life and if it has caused you stress or any other difficulties.
Keep all this information in a safe place. If you’ve made paper copies, keep them securely filed until you need them. If you store your notes on a computer, having your files backed up is sensible.
Call your doctor
Drivers and passengers with serious injuries will likely go straight to the hospital. If your injuries are minor, you may be tempted to go home and forget about them. Even if this is the case, seeing your doctor as soon as possible after the accident is important.
Some injuries can take time to show up, so you should see a medical professional even if you’re only in a small amount of pain. This ensures that you get the proper treatment and have a record for future claims.
Begin the claims process
Whoever is at fault, you will need to contact your insurance company to let them know about the accident. Give them all the information that you collected at the scene of the accident. Check with your insurance company the amount of time you have in which to report an incident, as it can vary from provider to provider.
If you decide to pursue a claim against the other driver, you could also contact a car accident attorney. They will investigate, calculate losses from medical expenses and vehicle repairs, and negotiate for your compensation.
What if I am partly responsible for the accident?
If you share some blame for the accident, then this will affect the amount you could receive in compensation. Check with your insurance company or attorney.
A spokesperson for John Foy & Associates commented:
“Being in a car accident is a traumatic experience, and it’s important to be prepared and know what steps to take in the event of an accident. Documenting the scene, seeking medical attention, and understanding the claims process can significantly impact your ability to protect your legal rights and receive fair compensation.
“We hope that by following these guidelines, drivers will feel more confident and better equipped to handle such stressful situations. Ensuring you have the right tools and knowledge can make a considerable difference in the aftermath of an accident.”
This report was distributed by Journo Research on behalf of its client johnfoy.com. Journo Research operates as johnfoy.com’s Digital PR agency.
