Steps To Take After Being Involved In Accident

No one wants to be involved in an accident. Still, it helps to understand what steps a victim should take, in order to ensure chances for fair compensation.

Stay at the scene of the accident

• Exchange contact information with the other drivers
• Share the name of your insurance company and your policy number with the other drivers.
• Let the other motorists see your driver’s license.
• Do not leave scene until police officer has come and gone, or until same officer has given an OK to your departure.

Call police

Get the name of the arriving officer and the badge number

Gather evidence

Note the description of the involved vehicles, along with their make and year. Get the license number on each of the same vehicles. Check for the presence of surveillance cameras in the area. Parking lots often have such a camera. A nearby store might have a means for shooting video footage.

Some victims return to the scene a day or two after the accident. That offers them an opportunity to search for any residents that know about similar accidents that have taken place at the same location. Such information could suggest the existence of some flaw in the road design, or some failure to post visible road signs.

What you should not do

Do not make any promises; never tell one of the other drivers that you agree to keep silent about the collision, if there has not been much damage.

Do not share information about the accident on any social media network. Do not share any pictures of those that have reported injuries.

Never admit blame.

Do not refuse help with seeking medical attention.

Actions you should take once you get back to your residence

Locate a quiet spot, one where you can sit and write down everything that you remember. Use a large piece of paper, so that you can add more information, as you recall additional facts.

Contact your own insurance company and tell them about the accident. Share with them the name of the other driver, and the name of the other driver’s insurance company. Be ready to cooperate with the company’s adjuster, if he/she wants to come and inspect the damaged vehicle.

In some states the victim of an accident must contact the DMV. If you are not clear on the law, be sure to consult a lawyer. Even if you do have some knowledge of the law, it should help to consult an injury attorney in Fergus.

You should be clear on the deadline for filing a lawsuit, in case that becomes necessary. A personal injury attorney could give you the details on such a deadline.