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Top 7 Automobile Accident Tips: What To Do When You Get Into a Automobile Accident

by Armen Kiramijyan on Dec. 05, 2013

Accident & Injury Car Accident Accident & Injury  Personal Injury Accident & Injury  Wrongful Death 

Summary: What To Do When You Get Into a Automobile Accident

1

STAY AT THE SCENE

Even if it is not your fault, fleeing the scene might result in criminal charges.

2

CALL AN AMBULANCE

Check if anyone is hurt. If so, you should not move them unless it's absolutely necessary. Call or instruct someone to call an ambulance.

3

CALL THE POLICE

Even if it is a minor accident you should call the police to preserve the evidence. They will not always show up, especially if there are no accusations of bodily injuries. However, try to get them out to the scene for a police report, this will strengthen your claim.

4

GATHER INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE

(A) Driver's license: Get driver's license number, name, address, expiration date, and any restrictions on the driver's license. (B) Registration Card: Get all the information from the vehicle registration card. (C) Insurance Card: Get all the information from the vehicle insurance card. (D) Description of the driver or passenger(s): Write down the description of the driver or passenger. (E) License Plate: Write down and take a photo of the vehicle's license plate number if possible. (F) Photographs: Take as many pictures as you can. Include pictures of: car(s), scene, damage, skid marks, road condition, traffic signs, the passengers, and the driver. If reasonable, before safely pulling your vehicle to the shoulder, take pictures of the positions of the vehicles right after the accident. (G) Witnesses: Look for witnesses in the area, get their information immediately. Be nice and ask them if they are willing to cooperate, this will strengthen your case immediately.

5

DO NOT MAKE UNNECESSARY STATEMENTS ON THE SCENE

MOST IMPORTANTLY statements that can be construed as admitting liability are detrimental to your claim. Contact an attorney to properly assess the question of liability.

6

DO NOT SPEAK TO ANYONE REGARDING THE FACTS OF THE ACCIDENT

This includes adjusters/claimsman from either your insurance or the opposing insurance company who will contact you asking for information. Improper statements to the anyone, especially the insurance companies are detrimental to your claim. No statements to anyone without speaking to an attorney! Recorded or not, anything you say can and WILL be used against you. Seek out an attorney immediately after an accident and notify the insurance adjusters/claimsmans to talk to your attorney. This will save you the headache of annoying phone calls and most importantly: money, money, money.

7

STAY CALM AND CONTACT AN ATTORNEY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Its repetitive but we cannot stress this point enough. In order to preserve your claim a professional needs to assess your rights before the claim wheel starts its aggressive spin. Be smart and keep your rights in the clear, the process will overwhelm a layperson.

Additional Resources

This content is intended for educational purposes only. KAASS LAW is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS LAW expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS LAW does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS LAW in person at the KAASS LAW office. KAASS LAW helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood.


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