When you are involved in a car accident there are a number of steps you should take to protect yourself.
This checklist is important to follow no matter if you were at fault for the accident or not or whether you were injured in the accident or not. When you are involved in a low-speed impact or any kind of minor collision you may not feel any pain at the time the accident takes place. However, it is not uncommon for people to feel the aftermath of an accident for the first time a few days after it happens. Thus, you may find out you were injured in an accident and want to file a claim, or even a lawsuit, and realize you did not obtain the necessary information from the other driver at the accident scene. Here are some helpful tips to remember:
1. Do not leave the accident scene until:
a. You have written down the following information from all other drivers involved:
i.Full name;
ii. Phone number;
iii.Mailing address;
iv. Driver’s license number;
v. Vehicle license plate number;
vi. Insurance company name;
vii. Insurance company policy number;
b. You have taken pictures of all vehicles involved (including your own);
c. You have taken pictures of the accident scene (i.e. location, street signs, nearby buildings, roadway, etc.);
d. Written down the names and phone numbers of all passengers and witnesses to the accident;
e. Called the police; waited for the police to arrive to the scene and gave the police a statement in regards to the happening of the accident;
f. Written down the police report incident number and the name of the responding police officers;
g. Provided your contact and insurance information to all other drivers involved;
h. If you are injured or experiencing pain, request medical attention and emergency transportation to the nearest hospital from the police.
2. After you have left the accident scene and/or the hospital, immediately call your insurance company and report the accident.
3. Do not post on your social media pages (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) that you were involved in an accident.
4. Do not speak with any of the insurance companies for the other driver(s) involved in the accident.
5. Do not allow any insurance company adjuster to record a telephone statement.
6. Do not fill out any paperwork or respond to any correspondence forwarded to you by any insurance company for the other driver(s) involved in the accident.
7. Call the experienced car accident lawyers in Philadelphia at Edelstein Law.
These simple guidelines can guide you through the stressful and sometimes frightening process after you are involved in an accident.
