Post-Accident Tips

Make Sure You Have A Minimum of $100,000 Bodily Insurance Coverage, and Minimum Under insured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage STACKED of $100,000.

Glove compartment, center console, or wherever you are most comfortable with storing them (e.g. wallet or purse), you should have the following items with you:

• Auto insurance card
• Registration card (or keep this in your wallet or purse in case your vehicle is ever stolen)
• Notebook and a pen or pencil so that you can write down any particulars after the crash – including eyewitness information (very important).
  

1. Call Police – Often, people let the other driver leave the scene on a promise that they will make good on the accident they caused. The problem is that many people provide fraudulent insurance and contact information or tell a different story of the accident later -- blaming you.

Stay at the scene of the crash until law enforcement officers have arrived and, if their investigation is going to take considerable time, notify them that you plan to leave. You should note the names of the officers in your notebook and make sure that he/ she takes down your version of what happened for the traffic crash report.

2. Report Injuries - If anyone is injured and needs medical attention, then call 911 and request an ambulance. At a minimum, if you feel any pain or discomfort, then tell the investigating officer and request medical attention.

If you fail to do so, the crash report will state “no injuries” even if you are hurt. Insurance companies love this statement in a traffic crash report. The insurance company later accuses you of lying about your injuries if they are not reported on the crash report.

3. Do Not Admit Fault or Apologize – While many drivers are sorry any accident happened in the first place, if you apologize or admit fault in causing the auto accident, then you be held responsible. This is true even if you were not at fault. Cooperate with the investigating law enforcement officer by stating only what you observed and experienced. Do not provide your quick snapshot of legal conclusions based on your experienced viewing of Law and Order, CSI, or other legal dramas.

4. Identify Witnesses – Do not rely upon the investigating law enforcement officer to protect you by taking down witness information. In most instances, the traffic officer will not develop this information. Obtain witness information yourself as well as asking the investigating officer to record this information on the traffic crash report.

5. Take Photographs – Use your cell phone or disposable camera you keep in the glove compartment (another tip) to take photos of the scene, of your injuries, and the vehicles. Also, get photographs of your vehicle while being repaired, especially when bumpers and body panels are removed which show the true impact you and your vehicle received. Finally, always be sure to note the time and date the photos were taken.

• Report the Accident to your Insurance
• • If you wait too long, then your insurance company may deny coverage for your claim. Be sure you get a claim number and the name and telephone number of your adjuster.
  • Before you call, review your insurance policy to make sure you know your bodily insurance coverage, as well as uninsured/under insured insurance coverage. You should probably create and maintain a list of questions for the insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company.
• DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING YOU DO NOT COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND
• • You could be signing away important rights.
• BEWARE OF ANYONE YOU DO NOT KNOW SEEKING TO OBTAIN YOUR INFORMATION
• • Once involved in an auto accident, you may be targeted by “friendly” adverse insurance adjusters, e.g. the at-fault driver’s insurance company, as well as unscrupulous solicitors for doctors, lawyers, and auto body repair shops, all seeking to “take care of you.” These people are looking to trying to exploit you.
• Recorded Statements
• • Providing statements can be very harmful to your claim. Although you have a duty to cooperate with your own insurance company, you do not have any obligation to help the at-fault driver’s insurance company defeat your claim.

The at-fault driver’s insurance company wants to take advantage of your shock, injuries, and inconvenience. They may try to negotiate with you when you are at your lowest point. They will certainly try to pay you as little as possible.

If the at-fault driver’s insurance company contacts you to try settling your case, then you probably want to call and check with an attorney before talking to them or signing anything. If you do not contact an attorney, and instead sign the insurance company’s paperwork, including a release of claims, then may be waiving any claims you may have in the future if your injuries are permanent and serious.

If you have been permanently injured in a car crash, auto accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident, and the other driver was at fault for the crash, then contact an experienced accident attorney at our personal injury law firm to help protect your rights and evaluate your claim.  Your case will be handled personally by an accident attorney, your questions will be answered.

If we agree to handle your accident injury claim, then know we will move your case forward.

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