Being involved in an automobile collision is a shocking and traumatic experience. Here are some tips that will help you be prepared in the event that you find yourself involved in an automobile collision:
1. CALL THE POLICE – If anyone involved in the collision is injured, the police should be called immediately to take a report and determine if emergency medical response is necessary. Once a lawsuit is underway, the police report is usually the best, most reliable source of information as to what actually happened. Further, if a police report is taken, then the responding police officers will offer better testimony in court. Also, a police report will contain important information such as witness, statements made by witnesses and parties, descriptions, measurements, and citations if any laws were violated.
2. DO NOT SAY ANYTHING! – Do not make any statements as to what occurred, what caused the accident, or what you saw. Further, do not admit any liability or fault! Any statements that you make, especially those against you own interests, can be brought up in court against you! Such statements will be used to undermine your credibility and believability for any claim for compensation that you may make.
3. GET THE OTHER INFORMATION OF OTHER DRIVERS – There are three documents you want to examine and copy: 1. The Other Party’s Driver’s License; 2. The Other Party’s Proof of Insurance; 3. The Registration Card of The Other Vehicles. These documents should be copied or photographed clearly. This information is important to determine who was driving, whether they had a valid driver’s license, whether they are insured, the contact and policy information of insurance companies involved, and whether they were driving their own vehicle. DO NOT LEAVE THE SCENE OF A COLLISION WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION!!
4. TAKE PICTURES – Pictures are the most powerful tool that you can use to show that damage that was caused by a negligent driver. Insurance companies will use photographs of damaged vehicles and the scene of a collision to evaluate the strength of a claim. Take pictures of all of the vehicles involved, as well as the scene of the collision, including any skid marks or damage caused to other objects and surroundings. In the age of cell phone cameras, there is no excuse not to have pictures of a car collision.
5.GET WITNESS INFORMATION – GET THE INFORMATION OF ANY PERSON THAT WITNESSED THE COLLISION BEFORE THEY LEAVE THE SCENE! Make sure you obtain their name and phone number. This will provide independent testimony in any claim and will ensure that any claim or lawsuit is not simply your word against theirs.
6.SEE YOUR DOCTOR – If you are experiencing any pain in you body at any time after the collision, see you doctor immediately, even if you were not feeling pain at the scene of the accident. Soft tissue injuries can take days to fully manifest, and must be taken seriously. Your doctor will be able to provide a course of treatment for your medical care, which may include medication, physical therapy, surgery, or pain management. Do not delay! Any significant delay in your seeking medical treatment may be used by an insurance company to determine that your claim has no merit or that your injuries were not caused by the collision.
7.MAKE A JOURNAL – Keep track of all of the ways in which your life was impacted by injuries caused by the collision. Keep track of all doctor’s visits and treatment. Make notes, including dates and times, of all the ways in which your injuries from a collision, including times in which you experienced pain, or activities in which you could not take part as a result of your injuries.
8. HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT YOU WHEN DEALING WITH AN INSURANCE COMPANY – Insurance companies know the value of your injury claim and realize that you are unfamiliar with the claims process. They will then do whatever they can to take advantage of your unfamiliarity and to undervalue your claim. Insurance companies will take your statement so that it can be used against you in court, and will try to obtain your authorization to obtain you medical records so they can fight your claim for compensation for your injuries. You need an attorney to prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of you and protect your rights! The value of your claim with an insurance company will likely increase simply with the involvement of an attorney.