Remember, all car wrecks are traumatic events, even small ones.
Right after a car accident you will be jittery, scared, upset, and
angry, just to name a few emotions. You will likely be rattled and
not be focused on your thinking, as you begin to process the
situation.
Your actions at the accident scene can directly lead to a just
resolution of your case. Stay calm and collected after an accident,
unless you require immediate medical help due to injury.
Do These Things:
* Keep collected.
* See if anyone involved in the accident is hurt. Call 911 right away
if this happened. Know the streets closest to where the accident
happened.
* Even if no one is hurt, calling the police is still something you
should do. Unless these is serious injury and/or a criminal offense
involved, most cities won't send police automatically to an accident
scene.
* Make certain to gather the following information:
~ The name, address and phone numbers of the driver and his or
her passengers.
~ Class and Driver's License number.
~ Car/License Registration. (Make sure to record the owner's and
driver's names, which may not be the same.)
~ Also get the vehicle's year, make, model, and license plate
number. As well as any advertisements or a company's signs
placed on vehicles.
~ Insurance. Notate the name of the insurance company, the
policy number, agent name and phone number, and the effective
dates of the policy.
~ Obtain any and all eye witnesses' names, addresses and
telephone numbers.
~ Names of the street and roads.
~ The time of day and it's date.
Photographs should be taken. ALWAYS have a disposable camera
(with flash) in your car. Take pictures of the people and vehicles
involved, as well as the debris and signs indicating the location.
Note any obstructions that could have blocked the vision of the
other driver, as well as damage to the other vehicle that couldn't
have been caused by this collision.
Never:
* Do not get upset and angry. Losing your temper will not improve
the situation and could lead to an unneeded confrontation. If the
other person get hostile, then walk a distance from them and
phone 911.
* Do not claim an injury you do not have. It is a criminal offense to
commit insurance fraud.
* Do not argue with the police about which party is responsible.
The more you disagree, the greater chance you will be found at
fault.
* Do not ever leave the accident scene without getting all the
information from the other party.
Statistically speaking, you will eventually find yourself in a car
accident. These tips will help you get through the experience with
fewer problems.
Barry Edzant is an experienced
California lemon law lawyer and understands how to successfully handle an auto accident. Barry has worked with many personal injury claims as a
Santa Clarita personal injury attorney and understands the seriousness of an auto accident and the implications of the California Lemon Law.
