What to Do When You Have Been in a Car Accident
Most adults will be involved in a motor vehicle accident during their lifetimes. Here, you will find information on the steps you should take at the scene of a car accident.

August 09, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- What to Do When You Have Been in a Car Accident

Article provided by Freibott Law Firm, P.A.
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It is an unfortunate truth that most adults will be involved in some type of motor vehicle accident during their lifetimes. Even the most minor of accidents can leave you shaken up and not sure what to do at the scene or during the days that follow. Below, you will find information on the steps you should take at the scene of a car accident.

At the Time of the Accident

You should never leave the scene of an accident. Even if the accident was a minor fender bender and you think no damage occurred, it is always best to err on the side of caution and pull over to make sure. If you leave the scene of an accident, you can be charged with a hit-and-run. If anyone was hurt as a result of the accident, you could face serious consequences, including jail time, fines, restrictions on your driving privileges and increased insurance rates.

When you stop, call an ambulance if anyone is in need of emergency medical attention. Exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver. You will need this information to file a claim with an insurance company.
-When speaking with the other driver, it is best to avoid the topic of liability altogether. You should never admit fault for the accident unless you have spoken with an attorney.

Next, you should call the police to report the accident. The law requires you to contact the police if there were any injuries or at least $500 worth of property damage. But even if you were involved in a less serious accident, you should file a police report.
-You may have to go to the police station to request a copy of the report later, so make sure you have the contact information for the police department, including the location and name of the agency the police officer works for.

If you have a camera or a camera phone, you should take pictures of any damage to your vehicle and the other driver's vehicle. You should also take photos of the positions of the automobiles and the location of the accident.

If any witnesses stopped at the scene of the accident, write down their contact information, including names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Their accounts of what happened could be important if you decide to pursue a lawsuit or have difficulty collecting compensation from the insurance company.

Even if you feel fine and do not believe you were hurt in the accident, you still should go to the emergency room to be evaluated by a doctor. You do not have to have visible injuries, broken bones or cuts to be hurt. If you do not want to go to the emergency room, you should contact your family doctor and see him or her as soon as possible after the accident.
-You could have suffered brain damage from the force of the collision and not even realize it. Brain injuries can be very serious and you may not know that you have one. The symptoms of a brain injury can vary greatly and may include dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting and confusion. A physician can determine if you have a brain injury by performing a physical evaluation and diagnostic testing, such as a CT scan.

After the Accident

Once you get home from the accident, you should take a couple of minutes to write down a description of what happened. Depending on how severe the accident was, you may not be able to remember everything that happened, but try to record as much as you can remember.

Contact an attorney with experience handling auto accident cases. The attorney can guide you throughout the entire process, from repairing your vehicle to recovering compensation for your injuries to handling your insurance claim.

You also need to contact your insurance company and report the accident. During the initial call with your insurer, you will give basic information about the accident, where it occurred, the extent of property damage, whether anyone was hurt and the other driver's contact information. The insurance company then will have a claims adjuster contact you to take a statement.

The First Meeting with Your Attorney

When you meet with your attorney, you should bring the following information with you:
-The name and contact information of any other drivers involved in the accident
-A copy of the police report or the police report number
-The names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident
-Any photographs that you took of the accident scene
-Your insurance claim number, if you have one
-The name and contact information of the insurance claims adjuster

The attorney will investigate your claim, determine any sources of compensation that may be available to you (including under your own insurance policy) and handle communications with the insurance company on your behalf. The attorney also can file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver if it is appropriate.

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