If you have ever been in a car accident you know that the minutes immediately following that accident you can be scared and confused. Many people do not take the proper steps to ensure their rights are fully protected, especially if the accident was not their fault. Here are some simple steps to remember after your involvement in a car accident:
1) Are there serious injuries? Check to see if you, your passengers, and the person in the other vehicle involved are injured. If anyone is seriously injured, immediately call 911! Do not move the vehicles or anyone from their vehicles. Wait for the Medical Professionals to arrive to do so.
2) Are you safe? If there are no serious injuries, move all vehicles out of the roadway. Leaving vehicles in traffic can cause more collisions, or injure you more seriously. Move to the shoulder or find a close parking lot to pull into.
3) Report the Accident to the Police. If there is significant damage, or one person is at fault, call your local police department. If the police arrive, an accident report will be completed and the at fault party may be issued a ticket. This will be helpful when the insurance company is contacted.
4) Exchange Information. Once you are safely off the roadway you will need to exchange information with the other vehicle involved. Make sure to record the following pertinent information: Facts of the accident (including date/time/location), names/address/phone numbers of passengers and witnesses, vehicle information (including make/model/year/color/license plate), other driver information (including name/address/phone number/driver's license number), Insurance company name and policy number.
5) Take Pictures!! It is very important to take photographic evidence of the damage to both vehicles. It is recommended to keep a disposable camera in your car at all times.
6) Seek Medical Attention. If you feel injured in any way, seek medical attention immediately. Often, injuries from low impact collisions are not realized until several days after an accident. If you or any of your passengers begin to feel neck, back, head or any other pain, consult with a medical professional as soon as possible. Do not assume the pain will go away with time.
6) Report the accident to your insurance company. Even if only minor damage occurs and you believe that you have come to an agreement with the other driver, it is best to let your insurance company know that an accident has occurred. The other driver may change their mind, or worse, report false information. It is best to protect yourself!
Getting into a car accident can be unsettling. If you are in a car accident, remember these tips and the insurnace process should run more smoothly. If you have any questions about an accident in which you were involved in Washington State, please call our office for a free consultation - 1-800-273-5005
1) Are there serious injuries? Check to see if you, your passengers, and the person in the other vehicle involved are injured. If anyone is seriously injured, immediately call 911! Do not move the vehicles or anyone from their vehicles. Wait for the Medical Professionals to arrive to do so.
2) Are you safe? If there are no serious injuries, move all vehicles out of the roadway. Leaving vehicles in traffic can cause more collisions, or injure you more seriously. Move to the shoulder or find a close parking lot to pull into.
3) Report the Accident to the Police. If there is significant damage, or one person is at fault, call your local police department. If the police arrive, an accident report will be completed and the at fault party may be issued a ticket. This will be helpful when the insurance company is contacted.
4) Exchange Information. Once you are safely off the roadway you will need to exchange information with the other vehicle involved. Make sure to record the following pertinent information: Facts of the accident (including date/time/location), names/address/phone numbers of passengers and witnesses, vehicle information (including make/model/year/color/license plate), other driver information (including name/address/phone number/driver's license number), Insurance company name and policy number.
5) Take Pictures!! It is very important to take photographic evidence of the damage to both vehicles. It is recommended to keep a disposable camera in your car at all times.
6) Seek Medical Attention. If you feel injured in any way, seek medical attention immediately. Often, injuries from low impact collisions are not realized until several days after an accident. If you or any of your passengers begin to feel neck, back, head or any other pain, consult with a medical professional as soon as possible. Do not assume the pain will go away with time.
6) Report the accident to your insurance company. Even if only minor damage occurs and you believe that you have come to an agreement with the other driver, it is best to let your insurance company know that an accident has occurred. The other driver may change their mind, or worse, report false information. It is best to protect yourself!
Getting into a car accident can be unsettling. If you are in a car accident, remember these tips and the insurnace process should run more smoothly. If you have any questions about an accident in which you were involved in Washington State, please call our office for a free consultation - 1-800-273-5005
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