With cool fall weather approaching and road traffic increasing as many of us return to school and work, we may see an increase in car accidents on the roads as people adapt to changing conditions.
While none of us wants to be involved in a car accident, it is helpful to review what steps we should take at the scene of the accident to maintain our legal rights.
What should I do to protect myself if I get into an accident?
Remain at the scene of the incident;
Call the police if the accident results in bodily injury or death or if there is significant property damage (more than $2,000);
Call emergency services if anyone involved requires medical attention;
Exchange information with the other driver or drivers. Record or photograph them:
- Driver license
- Insurance information (i.e. company name and policy number)
- License plate
- Make, model and year of their car
Take photographs of the accident scene and anything else you think will be needed to resolve a possible future lawsuit. If possible, it is important to take photographs of the original scene of the incident, as circumstances may change later when it comes to making and reporting your claim.
For example, these photos may include photos of damage to your car and other people’s vehicles, your injuries, weather, traffic conditions, signs around you, and more.
Gather information from witnesses at the scene. You can write it down or record it. Ask them:
- Full name
- Contact information (phone and email)
- Description of what they witnessed
Be polite to the other driver or drivers, but do not talk to them more than is necessary to exchange information. In particular, avoid talking to them about what happened in connection with the accident, how it happened, or who was responsible for the accident. Leave these discussions to our lawyer accident car and possibly legal counsel who can handle you further if you wish to file a claim;
As soon as you are able to leave the scene, contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident to provide a report.
