First and foremost, it is crucial to prioritize safety. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, and move vehicles if necessary to prevent further damage or collisions.
Call the police to create an official record of the accident, even if it seems minor. Remember to be honest but avoid admitting fault, as this could hurt your case later on.
1. Call the Police
A police officer can collect critical information at the scene of a crash, including witness statements and an initial assessment of the accident’s fault and damages. This information may be useful in legal proceedings that could follow the incident.
In addition, the presence of a police officer at the scene can provide peace of mind for you and those involved in the accident. Knowing that the matter is being handled by law enforcement can help you avoid unnecessary drama in the days and weeks following the accident, while also allowing you to focus on healing from any injuries you may have suffered.
When determining whether to call the police, consider the severity of the accident and any possible injuries that may have occurred. Also, make sure to call the police if you have significant property damage and/or if a vehicle has left the scene of the crash.
When you do call the police, ask for a copy of the official report once it is completed. Additionally, be sure to get the name of the officer that investigated the accident and his badge or ID number. If there were any witnesses, record their names and contact information as well.
Be careful when talking to the police, as it is important not to admit any fault for the accident at this point. Admitting any fault in the aftermath of a car accident can be detrimental to your insurance claim or even your legal case.
Take pictures of the accident scene, including any visible damage to your and the other driver’s vehicles. You should also try to capture landmarks and street signs to pinpoint the location of the crash. If you have any injuries, photograph your wounds and document the progression of your recovery through follow-up photographs as well.
2. Exchange Information
The police will be able to create an official accident report that will serve as crucial evidence in the event you must file a lawsuit for injuries or property damage. It is a requirement in New York state that you give information such as your driver’s license, insurance and registration number to the other parties involved in the crash. The police will also take witness statements at the scene, a key step in preventing any future changes to the at fault party’s story that could implicate you in a liability claim for damages.
When you are exchanging information with the other drivers, be sure to get their full names and address, phone numbers and email addresses. You should also ask for the name of their insurance company and policy number if they have one. The policy number is an important piece of information because it allows the insurance company to process your claims faster and more efficiently.
Even if the other party refuses to give their insurance information, still provide your own and take down their vehicle’s make and model, color and license plate number. You should also try to establish what their relationship is with the insurance company in case they change their story later.
Many negligent drivers attempt to avoid calling the police after a car crash for various reasons, including fear of being sued by their victims. While it may be tempting to skip this step in order to avoid legal complications, doing so will only hurt you in the long run. Our Minneapolis car accident lawyers recommend always calling the police and providing the officers with all necessary information. This will also help you if the at fault party later attempts to flee the scene.
3. Take Pictures
The moment that a car accident occurs, it is crucial to take pictures with your cell phone (or another camera) as quickly as possible. This helps to ensure that evidence is not lost or destroyed. In addition, a picture can help disprove something that an insurance company may try to argue against your claim. It is important to have as much hard evidence as possible in order to protect your rights to fair compensation for injuries that were sustained in the crash.
Aside from taking photos of the accident scene as a whole, be sure to get close-up shots of any vehicle damage that occurred. Look for dents, scratches, broken windshields or glass, skid marks, and any other relevant details. It is also a good idea to capture pictures of the roadway in which the accident took place, including any signs or other items that may have contributed to the collision.
If you are able, it is also beneficial to photograph the people who were present at the accident scene. This includes witnesses, police officers, and the other drivers involved in the crash. It is not uncommon for people to lose memory of the crash, so having a photograph of them at the scene can help jog their memories in case they need to testify at a later date.
It is always best to take as many pictures as possible if it is safe and feasible to do so at the time of the crash. Remember, that it is easy for an insurance company to dispute your claims or deny them altogether without sufficient hard proof. Photos are the perfect piece of evidence that can help to eliminate any discrepancies in how the accident happened.
4. Get Medical Attention
It is important to keep in mind that after any car accident, no matter how minor, you should always seek medical attention. This may sound obvious, but the truth is that many injuries don’t show up until a later time. This can make it difficult to determine how the accident occurred or whether you have suffered any serious or even minor injuries.
Another reason to always seek immediate medical attention is that it provides professional documentation of the injuries you sustained in the crash. This can be very helpful for insurance and legal purposes, especially in cases where a dispute about fault or injury exists.
While you’re at the scene of the accident, you should also ask any witnesses to provide their names and contact information. You should also exchange information with the other driver, including name, address and insurance policy number. If the police aren’t dispatched to the scene, you should still get the other driver’s information and make sure to note the officer’s name and badge number.
If you have a cell phone, it is a good idea to take photos of the accident scene and your vehicle’s damage. This can help your attorney establish the facts of the case.
It is also very important to remember that it is a good idea to never leave the scene of the accident, unless you are sure that your car is no longer in danger of being struck by oncoming traffic. This is important because the position of the vehicles after the accident can be a significant piece of evidence in determining the cause of the accident and your potential liability. For this reason, you should also request that the other driver do the same and not move their car, if possible.
5. Contact an Attorney
Getting a car accident attorney involved is probably the most important step for protecting your legal rights after a car accident. They will help ensure that the proper steps are taken to gather and preserve vital evidence, as well as provide invaluable legal advice.
Even if you don’t think you are injured, it is still crucial to call 911 and get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries, like neck or back pain, may not show up until later. It is also important to keep a record of all the medical visits and treatment you receive after the accident, as this can be crucial for insurance claim purposes.
You will want to exchange contact and insurance information with any other drivers who were involved in the accident. This includes their name, address, phone number, license plate number and insurance policy information. You should also try to obtain contact information for any witnesses. Witness testimony can be very helpful in determining fault and assessing the extent of damage in an accident.
It is also a good idea to take pictures of the scene and any damage caused by the accident. This will be very useful if you need to file an insurance claim or sue for damages. In addition, you should get an estimate for how much it will cost to repair your vehicle.
It is a good idea to start a folder or file for all of the documents related to the accident, including the police report, medical records and bills, repair estimates and any correspondence with insurance companies or other parties. This will make it easier to find and access these documents when necessary, which can be very helpful if there is a dispute about the accident’s circumstances or damages claimed.