According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, a car accident happens every 60 seconds in the U.S. That’s a staggering 5.25 million car crashes per year.
Out of 5.25 million, 3 million drivers are injured.
The most frightening aspect of car accidents is that you can take every precaution to stay safe on the road, but there are no guarantees that other drivers will do the same.
But, if you are involved in a car accident that’s not your fault, would you know what to do? Yes, you need to contact a lawyer. There are so many lawyers available who can handle this type of situation.
Most people are freeze with panic when another driver crashes into them – and who could blame them? Being involved in a crash is stressful enough, but now they need to contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company and have no idea how to even start.
After a car crash, knowing what to do can save you from legal issues and expensive compensation. But don’t panic.
Here’s exactly what you need to do.
Immediately After the Crash
First and foremost, it’s important to stay calm. Then, make sure you are not injured. Inspect the scene to determine if everyone else involved in the collision is unharmed. If you or someone else is injured, you’ll need to seek medical treatment immediately.
If you can walk, find a safe place nearby and call an emergency service to come and attend to you and anyone else who is hurt – but don’t move anyone who is injured unless it is absolutely necessary.
Then, you’ll need to make sure none of the vehicles involved are obstructing traffic. If you are able to, move all the cards onto one side of the road to avoid causing another accident.
After the crash, you can also call Lamber Goodnow Injury Lawyers Tucson to get more advice.
Collect the Relevant Information
If it is evident that the accident was the other driver’s fault, the at-fault party must report the accident.
However, there is no guarantee that the at-fault driver will report the details of the accident accurately; that’s why you must gather as much information as you can as evidence before you leave the scene.
The information you need will be the name, address, and driver’s license number of the other driver. You’ll also need their insurance company’s name and insurance policy number.
It is also important to take down the names, phone numbers, and addresses of anyone who witnessed the accident. You should also ask each witness for a written statement.
Take as many photos as you can of the scene of the accident. Make sure you get clear shots of the damage, as well as the at-fault driver’s license plate.
Notify the Police
If it’s not clear whose fault the accident was, it is even more critical to collect all the evidence you can to help your case.
Calling the police and filing a report will also serve as official documentation of exactly how the accident happened – this is an essential piece of information that you can leverage in court or when negotiating a settlement, or during litigation.
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Put Everything in Writing
If you are not seriously injured, you may leave the scene and go home. However, even if you are not obviously injured, it’s still important to have a medical examination following an accident.
After you have left the scene, write everything about the accident down while it’s still fresh in your mind, so you don’t forget the details later.
Inform Your Insurance Company
It’s a good idea to call your insurance company right after a car accident – however, because an accident happens in just a few seconds, you may not know all the details of the incident.
Other things to consider are that you may be partially responsible for the crash, and the at-fault drover’s insurance company may refuse to pay for medical treatment for any of the victims or any property damage.
Suppose the other party’s insurance company refuses to take financial responsibility for the car accident. In that case, you will need to inform your insurance company so they can call the other driver’s insurer to contest the refusal to pay the claim. If you’re partially responsible for the crash, your insurance company may need to pay for car repair costs.
You Can Sue the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Provider
The at-fault driver’s insurance provider should cover repairs or replacement of your vehicle, as well as any medical bills you’ve incurred.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to pay out, you should hire a personal injury lawyer to sue the at-fault driver’s insurer on your behalf.
