The moments after a collision can be chaotic. Follow these tips to make sure you have all the information you need to hold the at-fault driver accountable.
(1) Call 911
There are four situations where you should ALWAYS call 911:
- You know or suspect that someone involved has serious injuries
- You know or suspect someone is trying to flee the scene
- You know or suspect someone involved is intoxicated
- You are concerned that interactions with other drivers will escalate
Other than any of these situations – Calling 911 is up to your discretion.
(2) Exchange Information with All Involved Parties
Sometimes this is not possible. You first have to make sure you find a safe place to pull over out of the way of traffic. Then you should attempt to exchange IDs and insurance information with all other involved drivers.
(3) Take Photos of EVERYTHING
Take photos of the damage to your car. Take photos of the damage to the other cars. Take photos of the scene (street signs, traffic signals, monuments). Take photos of the license plates of the other cars. Take photos of their IDs and insurance cards. Take photos of your injuries.
In short, take photos of everything.
(4) Gather Witness Information
Not every accident has eye witnesses. However, if you know or think that anyone may have witnessed the accident, you should ask them for their name and phone number and write it somewhere safe.
(5) Seek Medical Treatment
As we say in every article, regardless of the impact it has on your case you should ALWAYS seek medical treatment if you are experiencing a new pain or discomfort after a car accident to make sure that you are okay.
If you have recently been involved in a vehicle accident, you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney to assist you with your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation.