After a car accident, your mind will most likely be scattered and filled with racing thoughts. You may know the basic information you have to collect for proper documentation, but have trouble recalling why and how you must do so. The fact that much of the evidence to be gathered can only be collected reliably (and objectively) in the few minutes immediately following the incident doesn’t make the task any easier (or less stressful!). To help you during those times, there are several important steps to follow immediately after a car accident on what you need to do.
- Call the Police
This may seem like a step that is only necessary for severe accidents, but, in any incident where there has been property damage (public or private) and injuries, contacting the police is a must. This is because police officers will supply an objective, third-party statement on the occurrences before, during, and after the collision. Although you will also be reporting the details of the incident objectively, having this added documentation helps your claim significantly by supporting your statements with the record of a trustworthy authority figure.
In extreme cases, of course, the police will also assist in clearing the site of the collision, aid injured parties, and protect all present individuals in case there is any potential for violence following the accident.
- Record All the Details of the Incident
This is a critical step in building a strong case. Do your best to record every detail concerning the auto accident. This includes:
- Photos and videos of the vehicles and damaged property. All damages must be photographed, from multiple angles if possible.
- Personal information of the individuals present. Some people – especially those individuals who are at fault – attempt to lie about there presence at the scene of an accident. You must record all individuals who were present in each vehicle to protect yourself against false information.
- Details of the vehicles. This includes license plates and the make, model, and year of the vehicles.
- Contact information for eyewitnesses. Many accidents happen so fast that the involved parties may not be fully aware of all the details of what occurred before and during the collision. Having a reliable eye witness can be a significant help to your case if you plan to file a lawsuit.
- Environmental details. Record the weather, location, and time of day during which the incident took place.
- Call Your Insurance Company
Most insurance companies have short periods in which you are required to report a car accident. It is best to call them directly from the scene of the accident so that you can still recover any details you may have missed in your first overview of the damages. It is essential that you contact them after collecting all of the details listed above so that you can provide the most accurate account of all that occurred. Never imply or admit fault as you speak to your insurer, as this can severely impact your chances of receiving compensation. Determining liability is the responsibility of judges and your insurers – leave that to them.
The last and more important step to follow is contact an auto accident lawyer, especially if the accident involved another party. They will help you to gather any further information you need to build a strong case and combat any allegations of false information or missing details from your account. To strengthen your chances of a positive outcome from a car accident lawsuit, contact an attorney as soon as possible.