WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT
If you are involved in an accident, try to keep your composure, listen closely and minimize your statements. If possible, call for help. Primarily, talk only to law enforcement officers, emergency medical providers, your doctors and your attorney. Keep your comments to a minimum and find out what the witness(es) saw and heard. Take detailed notes and keep all receipts. Have pictures taken if possible and start a journal. Review your medical records for accuracy and if incorrect, ask that they be corrected. Try to avoid talking to insurance adjusters.
If you are involved in a car accident, you should record:
- Date, time and place of the crash.
- State and license number of all vehicles.
- Year, make, model, color and condition of all other vehicles involved.
- The names, addresses, phone numbers, place of employment and e-mail addresses of all drivers involved and witnesses. Find out what they know, heard and saw without saying too much.
- Make note of the weather and road conditions, as well as your surroundings.
- Number, approximate age, sex and location in vehicle of passengers.
- The name, badge number and agency of all law enforcement personnel.
- The case number. (Obtain a copy of all law enforcement accident reports.)
- The name, phone number and policy number of all insurance companies involved.
- Note and take pictures of your injuries and the vehicles.
- Each doctor's name and instructions.
- The dates, mileage and missed work concerning medical treatment.
If you are injured on someone else's property, make sure you or someone on your behalf immediately contacts the owner and reports the incident.
© 2010 Ouderkirk Law Firm. All rights reserved. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
Click here for full legal disclosure.
|
