Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Most people have been in a car accident. Even your attorney may have been in an accident, and even the most experienced professionals can do things wrong after experiencing a traumatic situation. With adrenaline pumping and the shock of the situation, it can be difficult to think clearly, especially if your car was in the middle of the highway with its bumper hanging off making it barely drivable. Your first instinct may be to move your vehicle, to get it out of the way. However, this disturbs the evidence of the scene, and in some cases it can even allow the other driver to flee the scene.
We understand that after you have been in an accident, the last thing on your mind is a potential claim; however, these are five things that you should do so that you do not lose the ability to make a claim – should you need to according to a motor vehicle accident lawyer from our friends at Kiefer & Kiefer:
Get the other driver’s information. You will want to get a photograph of the other driver’s license, registration, vehicle insurance information, as well as a photograph of the license plate. In most states, they are required to give you this information by law. Adrenaline can be different for everyone, and in some cases some people may leave the scene without thinking. It is best to get the other driver’s information as soon as possible.
Take Photographs. Take photographs of the vehicles and the surrounding location before you move the vehicles. Take photographs of the property damage to both vehicles. If there are any surveillance cameras in the area, take photographs of the location of the cameras so that footage can later be requested, if needed. Videos can also be helpful on your phone.
Call the police. The police should come out and document the accident, perform an investigation as to how it occurred and issue citations, if warranted. Be sure to call for medical attention too, as that will need to be documented.
Gather Witness Information. If there are any witnesses that saw the accident, get their name and phone number. If there is a dispute about who was at fault in the accident, this can be very important later in the claim.
Report the claim to your insurance and the insurance company of the other driver. Insurance companies will start an investigation into the facts and circumstances of the accident and so it is important to report the claim to them early. Additionally, some states and insurance companies have deadlines where they must be notified of a loss in order to provide insurance coverage. Even if the accident is not your fault, report it to your insurance company.
If you are unable to do these things because you were too injured or were taken by EMS from the scene, it is ok! Contact a personal injury attorney in your area, who will be able to help you further preserve evidence you may need for your claims.
