What to Do if You are Involved in an Accident
Car, truck and motorcycle accidents are very serious and traumatic. It is very helpful to keep
calm and think clearly at the scene of the accident. You do not want to get into any arguments
with others, especially with police or firefighters, as they may testify in your matter. Keep
thinking about your presentation to others at the scene. The first things to do are the
following
- Call 911 emergency services if there have been any injuries. Report the accident to the police right away, and get a copy of the police report as soon as possible.
- Turn on your hazard lights. Carefully consider if it is safe before removing yourself and your vehicle (if possible) from the roadway.
- If you are injured, take an ambulance to the hospital for your health and safety. Do not chance your health. This is where injuries are first documented. Make sure you tell the first responders and EMTs of any pains and injuries, no matter how minimal they may be. The ambulance bill should be covered by your no-fault insurance or at the very least will use up your deductible.
- Gather information from the other driver(s), other passengers, and any witnesses. Write down their names, phone numbers, and addresses.
- Use your cell phone camera to take pictures of the scene, vehicle damages and other important information. Write down the location and amount of damages to the vehicles, especially the other vehicles involved.
- Write down a description of the scene and weather, the streets, the time of day, and so on.
How do I make a claim?
The start of any insurance claim is a very important process. It should begin with consulting your attorney who has knowledge and expertise with insurance law, followed by completing and sending in an application for no-fault or other benefits to make sure it is truthful, complete and accurate. Victor can help you do it the right way so that the insurer will not dismiss your claim for absurd or wrong reasons.
What should I do to protect myself from having the wrong results once I present my insurance claim?
The very first place insurers will look to is the internet to investigate claimants. Insurers hope to find unrestricted Facebook, Twitter or other social network profiles to investigate what you may be doing. The first thing to do is to make sure they are restricted from the public and then deactivate or delete your accounts. If you are seriously injured, you should be seeking treatment and not talking about your vacation or family events you may enjoy. You must assume information on the internet will be used by the defendants and their insurers to their benefit.
You should assume that you are being watched at all times including at the mall, grocery
store or your own driveway or garage. Defendants and insurers routinely hire private investigators on cases to see what you are doing at any time.
Listen carefully to your attorney and the advice you receive. Do not assume you know
everything even if you have a close friend or other family member who has shared their experiences with you on their claims or cases. We live in a high-tech society and things develop and change over time.
It is extremely important to work with your attorney as a team and keep your attorney informed of your medical treatment and any other areas of concern to you. Do not be afraid or hesitate to ask your attorney any question you have no matter what you think about an issue. It is best to share your thoughts with your attorney so you are both working together. Remember that working with your attorney will help make your case a success.