Let’s face the facts, unfortunately auto accidents happen whether we want them to or not. Take for instance my example. It was three weeks before my wedding, and I was sitting at a dead stop in traffic. The next thing I know I’m being rear ended. Apparently the driver of the car was completely oblivious to the fact that everyone was stopped all around them in traffic, go figure! Cars are a great mode of transportation, but they are also one of the more dangerous modes of transportation since the risk of accident is so high. We can hope that those individuals behind the wheel operating the car are experienced drivers and are paying attention to their surroundings. However, it seems like every day we hear of a horrendous accident on the news involving a car wreck. The following tips are good to keep in mind for anyone who gets in a car accident of how to best proceed.
First, make personal notes as to what happened in case you need them at a later time. Write everything down or draw a sketch while things are still fresh in your mind so you aren’t trying to think of little details later. This is often very helpful to police officers or even attorneys if they get involved since neither of them saw the accident first hand. Everything in a legal sense needs evidence.
Second, make sure you call your insurance right away and file a claim. This will help in getting your car fixed and they need all sorts of information from the police report in order to get money from the other person’s insurance. In the example I mentioned of my car accident, I was able to obtain a copy of the police report within a couple of days, and called my insurance agent in order to get a rental car for the three weeks it took for my car to get repaired and giving them the name of the offending driver’s insurance company so I didn’t have to pay out of pocket.
Third, if needed file a state accident report. The police should know if this is necessary. Anything involving the law needs to be well documented so depending on the accident you might be required by the police to do this. Paperwork provides a trail for legality issues. It might seem annoying but it will help to best protect your rights.
Fourth, take pictures of the accident right after it happens. You can explain things all day long but pictures show exactly what damage was done. Often insurance agents will ask for pictures so they are good to have on hand. A picture doesn’t lie.
Fifth, make sure and protect your rights and interest. If things are sketchy don’t hesitate to call an attorney. For instance, Legal Medical Assistance might be beneficial to contact. There are no fees with them unless they win your case, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t at least give them a call if you find yourself needing some help after an auto accident. Accidents are no fun, however follow these guidelines and make the process as smooth as possible. You can walk away well protected and taken care of financially and medically if done right
