Car Accident - Now What!
Did you remember to do all of the following?
- Get the other driver's name, the automobile's license plate number, the driver's insurance information, location of the accident, witness names, address and phone numbers.
- If law enforcement arrives at the scene, write down their name, agency, badge number and report number, if any.
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. This is no time to be superhuman and "shrug" it off. And some very serious injuries, even fatal ones, may take a while to make themselves known.
- Notify your insurance carrier as soon as possible after the accident.
- Most states require notification to the Department of Motor Vehicles if there has been an injury or property damage over $500.00.
- As soon as possible after the accident you need to speak with an experienced injury attorney to determine your legal rights.
If you're like most people, you probably haven't done everything on the list above. Now is a great time to grab a pen and paper and make a few phone calls to gather as much information as you can while it's still fresh in your mind. It will also serve you well to write down a little short story in your own words of how the accident happened. Later on, you could forget little details that may seem insignificant now, but later on could make all the difference, feel free to add additional details as you think of them.
You may be tempted to skip the last item on the list, especially if your insurance company is treating you like their own best friend, but don't. We all pay insurance premiums for a reason, to be taken care of in the event of unexpected circumstance. It is the job of all insurance company representatives to make you feel warm and fuzzy to keep the lawyers out of the picture. But don't be fooled, their only goal is to pay out as little as possible. You may feel that contacting a lawyer is overkill for your situation, but that's just you being nice.
Understand that your injuries may go far beyond what you can see on the surface of your skin or feel in your bones. Loss of productivity from work and emotional trauma are just a couple of injuries that you may have, but there are many more. What about the people who depend on you for society and comfort? They could be suffering as well and may also be covered.
Think of a good lawyer the same way you would as a tour guide in a foreign land. Sure, you can go to Europe and discover a small percentage of things by chance, but a good tour guide can help you get the most for your vacation investment. You and presumably the other parties involved in the accident pre paid for this event with your insurance premiums, now is the time to get what you are entitled to and more.