May 2007 Client Newsletter
Would you know what to do if you were involved in an auto accident? It’s something that most people don’t think about beforehand. Unfortunately, the things you do (or don’t do) in the hours and days following a collision can have a negative impact on any legal claims you might have. To protect yourself, and those claims, here are some important steps for you or your family members to take if you’re ever involved in a car crash:
· After checking to see if everyone is O.K., and offering assistance, call 911 for both police and medical help.
· Unless there are road signs directing you to move disabled vehicles out of traffic, DO NOT move your car or the accident debris until you are instructed to do so by the police.
· DO NOT discuss the accident with anyone other then the investigating police officer. Make sure to tell him/her about all injuries you or your passengers have suffered.
· Make notes of any statements made by the driver or occupants of the other vehicle(s) as to how the accident occurred.
· If your cell phone has a digital camera, and it is safe to do so, take pictures of the scene showing the position where the cars came to rest, skid marks, and the damage to each car.
· Try to get the name, address, and phone number of any witnesses.
· If you think the driver of the other vehicle may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, be sure to tell this to the investigating police officer.
· DO NOT give a recorded statement to the adjuster for the other driver’s insurance company, or sign ANY legal paperwork (such as an Authorization for the Release of Medical Information or a Release of All Claims), without talking to an attorney first.
· Contact an attorney if you have any questions about your medical benefits, lost wages, or any potential bodily injury claim.
If you have teenage drivers, you may want to go over this information with them. If you have any questions about a particular collision, don’t hesitate to give me a call.