Car accidents can be quite traumatic events. This is especially the case if you have been involved in a crash the was not your fault. It’s important that you know exactly what you should do next. This is because your actions can have an impact on any personal injury claim that you make.
This article takes a look at what you should do next:
Table of Contents
1. Call the Police
One of the first things that you should do is call the police. The police will need to be aware if you have been involved in an accident. This is regardless of how minor or serious the accident was.
You should call the police because they will make a report of the accident. They will do this even if they don’t attend the scene. An official police report will help you to hold the other diver liable for damages and the cost of repairs.
Filing a report will also help you when it comes to making an insurance claim. This is because your insurance company will want a copy of the police report.
2. Collecting Information About the Accident
After the accident, you will need to collect some information. This information can prove to be vital if you consult a Brooklyn attorney and wish to file a claim. Before you leave the scene of the accident, you will need to collect the following pieces of information:
- The other driver’s name and contact details
- The names and contact details of the passengers in the other car
- The other driver’s insurance policy information and the name of the insurance company
- The model, make, and color of the other driver’s car
- The names and contact details of any witnesses
- If a police officer attends the scene, you will need their contact details, name, and badge number
Please do not talk to the other driver about who was at fault. Only talk to them to ask if they are injured (If they are, call 911), and to ask them about the above information.
You should also take the opportunity to write down everything you remember about the accident. Note the time of day, the weather conditions, how light it was, and any road signs you can see. If you can, take photographs of both cars from different angles. This can help you with your insurance claim.
3. Contacting the Insurance Company
You might be wondering which insurance company you should contact. You might be tempted to contact the other driver’s insurance company. However, you should call your own. This is because they will know what type of coverage you have such as damages, personal injury, and medical expenses.
Depending on the type of insurance you have, your insurance company will pay for your medical bills and repairs. It will be up to your insurance company to contact the driver’s insurance company. You will not need to contact them yourself.
4. Receiving Medical Attention
Please make sure that you receive medical attention. You might not think you have any injuries, however, it’s likely that your adrenaline is hiding the pain. Some people won’t feel pain or notice they have injuries until a few hours or days after the accident.
Your doctor will assess you for internal injuries. In some cases, the injuries could be life-threatening. This is why it makes sense to receive medical attention. Call your doctor’s office and ask them who can treat car accident injuries. Only do this if you don’t think you have any injuries. If you are injured, please call 911 or go straight to the emergency room. Ask for copies of your medical notes so they can be used as evidence.
5. Repairing your Car
The next step is to have your car repaired. In some cases, it could take a few weeks for your car to be fully repaired. One of the good things about having your car repaired is that it is proof you were in an accident. You should keep any documents you are given by the repairer that show what repairs were done to your vehicle.
Your insurance company will also need the documents. Just make sure that you have a record of everything that was repaired. Not only will the documents help to prove the accident, but they can also help you to get compensation.
If your car was totaled, you will need evidence to show that your car was severely damaged. Your photographs and any documents from a tow company can help a great deal.
If you were involved in a car accident that was not your fault, use the above information to help you. With a bit of work, your insurance company and any lawyer working for you could help you make a personal injury claim.
Also read: Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer? A Useful Guide on When to Hire One
