Car accidents can be terrifying experiences. To make sure things run as smoothly as possible, it is crucial that you remain calm and follow these car accident tips to help make everything run more smoothly.
Preserving memories after an accident requires taking notes immediately following its occurrence; having pen and paper, cell phone/disposable camera and insurance card at hand will help you do this quickly and accurately. By recording important details quickly after a collision has taken place, this will enable you to recall them more easily.
1. Call the Police
After any car accident, the first thing you should do is check to see if anyone is hurt and call an ambulance and the police. Next, if it is safe, exchange information with the other driver including names, addresses, phone numbers and insurance information as well as their license plate number and make and model of their car. Talk with any witnesses present as well and record their statements as appropriate.
Also remember: Do you always get a settlement from a car accident case?
Depending on the severity of damage to your car, you may wish to move it off the road in order to not impede traffic – particularly important if children or animals were present in your vehicle. Also be careful what you say at the scene because anything you say could later be used against you; watch what comments are directed toward other drivers as well. When possible take multiple photos from various angles.
2. Exchange Information
As New York State law dictates, exchanging information with all involved drivers at the scene of a car crash is of vital importance. You should remain at the scene to gather this data – including their name, address, phone number, insurance company policy number, model and plate number of their vehicle and even its owner (if different than themselves).
Eyewitness statements can provide invaluable assistance to investigators as they try to piece together how an accident happened. It is also wise to collect eyewitness names. Witness statements will allow them to better comprehend how things unfolded.
Photograph the scene of an accident to protect both parties involved. Use your mobile phone’s camera to snap shots of all vehicles involved as well as surrounding area, including property damage. Failing to exchange information may violate state laws and cause complications when filing an insurance claim or lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries.
3. Take Pictures
Take pictures at the scene of an accident to gather evidence that could assist your case if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit. A camera or phone with good quality pictures should suffice and does not need to be professional-grade.
As long as it is safe for you to do so, take photos from different angles of the car damage and accident scene itself. Take note of details that might otherwise be forgotten later, like skid marks or road conditions at the time of impact.
Photographs taken of the weather conditions at the time of an accident will also prove useful if the other driver blames weather for its cause. Furthermore, taking photographs of each license plate involved will enable your lawyer to reconstruct and determine who was at fault in your case.
4. Contact an Attorney
After an accident, it can be difficult to remember all the steps you should take and stay on top of important details. Hiring an attorney can help keep this from happening by helping keep track of all important details so none are overlooked.
In case of an accident involving a parked car, it is essential to remember to activate your hazard lights and set out traffic flares so as to warn approaching drivers about a potentially hazardous situation – this may prevent claims against you for failing to warn.
If your vehicle hits the back of someone else’s, it is essential that if any movement occurs it does not further injure either party involved. Any movement could increase injuries. Furthermore, any time there are children, pets or disabled adults in either vehicle it should be left for first responders to remove them for proper assessment of injuries.
