What to Do After an Automobile Accident
By Darwin F. Johnson on December 29th, 2014 in Workers Compensation
“I was involved in a car wreck, my car was totaled and I was seriously injured. Do I have a case?”
We receive questions like this all the time – and the answer is yes. Not only does Darwin Johnson represent workers’ compensation cases, he is also an experienced personal injury attorney who can fight against the negligence of others to ensure you get the proper entitlements.
When you’re involved in an automobile accident, especially one that results in an injury, there are certain steps you should take to preserve your rights and get the coverage you’re entitled to. Keep in mind the following steps you should do, starting with the moment the accident occurs leading through the days that follow.
Report the Accident
As soon as the accident occurs, contact the police. Even if no one is injured, you should always contact the local authorities so you have a report documenting the damage. An officer will arrive on scene, as well as any other necessary emergency response vehicles, to document the scene and incident, as well as administer medical care if needed.
Typically, the investigating officer will cite the parties responsible for the accident, and it is even possible for you to get cited as well. In any case, the officer will provide you with a card containing the accident report number which you should reference a few days after the accident.
It’s a good idea to review the accident report to make sure the information is accurate. If you come across any inaccuracies, contact the investigating officer to explain the inaccuracies as soon as you can while the events surrounding the accident are still fresh on their mind.
Gather Accident Evidence
While on scene, take pictures and make notes of damage done to all vehicles as well as personal injuries. This type of material will be helpful for insurance carriers, legal representation and a jury. Keeping photographic evidence of damages and injuries make it easier for you to remember and prove down the line should you find yourself in a court proceeding having to describe details of the accident.
In addition to property damage from the automobile accident, any medical care you seek as a result of an injury caused by another driver should be covered by their insurance carrier. Keep record of all treatment and doctor visits to make sure the entire cost is covered.
Contact Your Insurance Carrier
As soon as you get the incident taken care of on scene, contact your insurance carrier immediately. Typically your insurance agent should deal with most of the communication between the driver’s insurance agent to avoid confusion and miscommunication between all parties.
They will set up all accident claims and help with the repairs needed for your vehicle as well as assist you in the event the other driver fails to accept responsibility for the accident or is underinsured for the costs incurred from the accident.
Call an Accident Injury Lawyer
Every automobile accident is different and involves various circumstances. Although these are some general tips to keep in mind, there are a lot more aspects involved in automobile accidents and individual cases. If you need an experienced automobile accident attorney on your side, call the Law Offices of Darwin Johnson.
