The Top Five Things You Have To Do In An Auto Accident
1. Determine, and Document, the Extent of Damage or Injuries. Make sure you are alright first, before checking on anyone else in your vehicle or anyone in the other involved vehicles. If any injuries are reported, call for help immediately. Do not attempt to treat yourself or others. If you have a camera don’t forget the camera on your phone! take lots of photos.
2. Have The Police Come To The Scene. In every auto accident, even minor property damage accidents, it is important to make sure there is an accident report. Do not leave the scene until the police come. Discuss the car accident only with the police. Immediately after an accident, it can be hard not to talk about what just happened, but that can also lead to you not thinking clearly and accurately about what happened. Do not admit any fault or liability. You should talk about the accident with the police and your insurance agent only.
3. Call Your Insurance Agent. Call your agent or insurance company’s 800-number immediately, even at the scene with the police if possible. Sometimes the police officer can give your insurance company more accurate information rather than information you may not be recording properly because you are upset by the accident. This can save you a lot of time later waiting for your claim to be processed. However, do not sign medical authorizations from any, even your own, insurance company without consulting an attorney first.
4. Know Your Legal Rights? Generally, if someone else causes an injury or death, you have a right to bring a claim for the damage to your vehicle, medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, scarring or disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life. You may have other rights, depending upon your circumstances.
5. Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer and, If I Do, How Do I Find One? If you need a lawyer, you should hire one as soon as possible. The fee is going to be the same regardless of when you hire a lawyer. If you hire a lawyer early, there are many, many more things that the lawyer can do to help you and protect your rights. Talking to a lawyer early on may be one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. You might wonder if you should call the lawyer who helped you with your real estate closing, will, divorce, bankruptcy, etc. or someone who specializes in personal injury. If you have a serious injury or death claim, you are almost always better off hiring a lawyer who handles only personal injury cases. A lawyer who is skilled in one area is not necessarily skilled in another and you need to make sure your lawyer has the appropriate skill set for your specific needs.