Although we hope you never have to use this information, it’s very important that you know what to do if you’re ever injured in a motor vehicle accident that wasn’t your fault. To ensure a successful personal injury claim, some of what you’d need to do is time sensitive.
What to do if you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident
The following is a short tutorial on what to do if you are ever injured in a motor vehicle accident. You may want to keep a copy of it in your glove compartment.
- Determine the level of your injuries and that of any passengers as best you can. If the injuries are serious, call 911 for the police and an ambulance.
- Don’t get out of your vehicle unless it is safe to do so and if there is no risk to further injuring yourself.
- Even if you don’t think there are any injuries, call 911 so that the police can come and write up a police report. The report could be important for the success of any future insurance claim related to the accident. Once the police have prepared the accident report, ask if you can look it over to ensure the information is accurate and complete.
- If your car is obstructing traffic and is still drivable, safely move it to the side of the road.
- Exchange information with the other driver(s), including their name, driver’s license number, insurance information, make and model of the car, and license plate number.
- Make notes on where the accident occurred, on what day, at what time, what the weather conditions were like, and any witness contact information.
- Use your cellphone, if you are able, to photograph the damage to the vehicles involved. Also take photos of the license plate number(s), and any skid marks or road debris.
- If your car needs to be towed, contact your auto club. Make sure you get the name of the tow truck company if your vehicle is towed by some other company, and find out where their towing yard is located.
- The next step is to call your own insurance company and report the accident so they can set up a claim.
If the car wreck was caused by someone else, you would benefit greatly from hiring a reputable personal injury attorney, as soon as you can. His or her advice about the law and your rights will likely prove invaluable to your case, with added assistance in filing a claim for property damage and your bodily injury.
Hopefully, you will never have to use the tutorial provided here, but if you do, it should provide some much needed information.
If you have any questions about this article or any other questions related to personal injury law, please call us toll free at 1-800-LAW-1333. Our personal injury consultations are always free.
The content of this blog was prepared by Alexander & Associates Attorneys at Law for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to solicit business or provide legal advice. Laws differ by jurisdiction, and the information in this blog may not apply to you. You should seek the assistance of an attorney licensed to practice in your state before taking any action. Using this blog site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Alexander & Associates Attorneys at Law. Client relationships can only be created by written contract.