When talking to the other drivers, never discuss blame, even if they were clearly at fault. There is rarely anything productive that can result from a discussion of fault immediately after an accident. The last thing you need after an accident is to be involved in a heated argument or in a physical altercation. However, if the other driver admits that they caused the accident, you should write down exactly what they said in their admission when you have a chance.
At The Accident Scene (if possible)
• Call 911 & seek medical attention
• Take pictures of accident – cars, people, road, conditions, signs, etc.
• File police report - don’t talk about fault, just what happened
• Write what happened in detail - for your use only
When You Get Home
• Create a diary of the incident
• Collect all records
• Retain a lawyer
• Take your car to a mechanic for evaluation
Always
• Follow up with medical professionals
• If you are operating the vehicle that was in the accident – then have a professional check and service it
• Evaluate options – insurance claims, lawsuit, etc.
• Refrain from discussing blame or fault with other drivers or the police
Immediately Following the Accident
1. Call 911 & Seek Medical Treatment
Call 911 immediately and seek medical treatment. Many injuries can have significant long term ramifications if they are not addressed immediately. Also, if you do not seek immediate treatment, then there is also a possible risk that your or the other driver’s insurance company will deny any claim that you make for injuries on the ground that you did not suffer the injury as a result of the accident.
2. File a Police Report
You might not think a police report is necessary, but it is extremely valuable to have a written record from a neutral third party to support any claim that you might make in the future. Immediately after an accident, you are likely to be in a poor position to render any type of conclusion. Stress, pain, emotions and confusion can easily cloud or impair your best judgment. Do your best at stating to the police officer what happened. Do not offer or state any conclusions as to who was at fault.
3. Take Photos of the Accident and Surroundings
Take as many pictures as possible to capture everything and everyone involved in the accident – the car(s), the people and their passengers, license plates, road conditions and traffic control devices.
4. Write Down as Much Information as Possible at the Scene of the Accident
As soon as it is safe, write down the full names of all of the other people involved in the car accident and indicate which people were drivers and which were passengers. For each driver, gather their driver’s license number, insurance information and any policy information that you can get. You should also write down the make, model numbers, VIN numbers, and license plate numbers of all vehicles involved.
When You Get Home
1. Create a Written Diary of the Incident
Sit down and write a complete record of everything that occurred as soon as possible. Include in your diary the time, date, and exact location of the accident, from where you were driving and to where you were driving, the weather conditions, the road conditions, how the accident began and what actions you and the other drivers and passengers took immediately after the accident. Update this diary by adding how the accident has affected your life. Describe all of the damage to your property, any physical pain and injury, the impact on your ability to work, any lost business that you suffered as a result of the accident, and things that you previously could do but now cannot do after the accident.
2. Collect All Records
Collect all medical bills and details for treatment or examinations you received as a result of the accident, including all expenses for medical equipment and medication that you needed as a result of the accident. Collect copies of your medical records and all correspondence and notes that medical providers made after examining or treating you for injuries caused by the accident. Gather all communications, like letters, emails, or notices that you received or sent to other people involved in the accident, or any of their representatives, and any insurance companies. You should acquire or find a copy of your insurance policy.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you have a collection of facts and records, you should contact your insurance company and report the accident. Keep a record of the time, date, and the name of the person with whom you are speaking for every contact you have with your insurance company.
4. Take Your Car to a Mechanic for Evaluation
A mechanic can give you a quote for repairs and assess the safety of driving your car. The mechanic’s appraisal can
also be useful in helping determine how the accident occurred since many times, the damage to a car can indicate the way that your car and another car connected and at what speed.
5. Contact a Lawyer with Experience in Personal Injury Cases
Even if you are not sure who was at fault in the accident or if it will be worth suing for your damages, you should contact and consult with a lawyer with experience in handling personal injury matters. They can provide invaluable advice.
Note. Always contact a lawyer for complete information about your situation. State law, the at fault driver’s insurance policy, your insurance policy and many other variables may all play a role in determining the value and best way to pursue your claim.
