What to do after an accident

It is never advisable to “exchange” information and then leave the scene. You should contact the police. 

The investigating officer will make a record, including obtaining all relevant information. If you are hurt at the scene, tell the officer when asked. 

Often, due to adrenaline, or the nature of some injuries, you won’t feel immediate onset of physical complaints. Merely inform the officer you do not know, and you will go to the hospital or your physician.

Even before police arrive, if anyone tells you they witnessed the accident, or it is apparent that they did, obtain their information. If you do not do so, and they leave before the police arrive, it is as if they were never there in the first place, and you lose valuable information forever. • Take photographs. With the prevalence of cell phones, nearly everyone has a camera and video camera in the palm of their hand.

Take photographs! If it turns out that you do not develop injuries, it is still important, since your own insurance company will want to see photographs to process the repair or loss of your vehicle.

If you are experiencing symptoms or injuries, and do not seek medical care, you could affect your recovery. 

Delays of even a few days are sometimes unavoidable, but claims adjusters for insurance company typically argue that you were not that injured if you didn’t seek medical care, and the longer you delay, the more that argument is made by insurance companies. 

If you have no physical injuries or symptoms, don’t seek medical help for a lawsuit. • DO NOT speak with the other insurance company, or company representatives. Nothing can harm your case more than giving statements to the other insurance companies. Not only can statements be used against you, but honest statements can be later twisted to question your honesty.

Most insurance policies contain requirements that you notify them after an accident. The call will often be a claims “processor” to open your claim. You may be asked if you are injured. You should be honest with your insurance carrier, since a lie can harm your case. However, as with recorded statements, you should be cautious about your statements, especially since, if the other driver is not insured, your insurance may ultimately be the opposing side! It is also important that you know and understand what type of auto insurance you have and what is covered in the event of an accident. If you are not sure, ask if you have medical payments coverage, underinsured or uninsured coverage, and the amounts of coverage. 

In efforts to get business, there are “services” that offer to arrange for you to get paid medical care, and arrange for you to obtain lawyers. These services obtain your information from available accident information. These services will persist with calls, and leave voice mail messages. If you insist on who they are, or what doctors or lawyers they are talking about, they will often be evasive. These companies are not performing this service for free, and they often receive a “cut” from the settlement or verdict, which is unethical. It is also bad business. Injured victims of vehicle accidents not only experience physical trauma and pain after an accident, but such an incident can also be emotionally taxing, can drain a family financially, and at best will cause disruption and inconvenience to daily lives. If you have been injured in a car accident, you are looking at medical expenses, wages lost as a result of taking time off work to recover, cost of hospitalization, treatment, and rehabilitation. In major accidents, there is the question of whether the victim may be able to return to work or suffer permanent injuries or disabilities.