Remembering a list of all the possible actions you can take after a car accident that will help your personal injury case can be stressful and overwhelming. If you can’t remember all of the right steps to take, just remember to avoid making these four (4) common mistakes at the scene of the accident.
Memory is not frozen, it’s very much alive, it moves, it changes.
– Louis Malle
1. Do NOT Leave the Scene without Getting the Other Driver's Information
If you are able to, it is extremely important to pull over to a safe location and exchange insurance and contact information with the other drivers involved in the accident. Not only is it illegal to leave the scene without attempting to exchange information, but it can be extremely difficult to track down the driver who caused the accident without some form of identification from them.
2. Do NOT Leave the Scene Without Taking Photos
Even if you are unable to exchange information with the other drivers (and in fact especially in those situations) you must remember to take photos. Take photos of everything.
Take photos of the other vehicles involved and their license plates, take photos of the other driver’s ID and insurance information, take photos of the damage done to your vehicle, take photos of your injuries. Most importantly take photos of the scene. Photos of the scene including photos of any traffic lights, street signs, or monuments can help your attorney piece together what happened.
3. Do NOT Leave the Scene Without Asking Witnesses for Their Information
In many car accidents there are unfortunately no independent witnesses. However, an independent witness who saw what happened can mean the difference between the insurance company accepting your claim and paying you out or denying your claim altogether.
If you see anybody who assists you out of your car, or may have seen what happened, ask them for their name and telephone number and write this information down somewhere safe.
4. Do NOT Delay in Seeking Medical Treatment if You Have Been Injured
Often we encounter clients who delayed going to see a doctor after a car accident because they felt their injuries were not that bad…only to realize a few weeks later that their injuries had just worsened with time.
If you have recently been involved in an accident, you should immediately seek medical attention to make sure that you are okay. Whether it is at an Urgent Care or an Emergency Room, don’t wait to get yourself checked out!