It is important to know what you need to do in the event of a car accident. If you are lucky, it will just be a minor fender bender and there won’t be much damage done to either vehicle. In other scenarios, one or both vehicles may have been totaled. If that’s the case, then you must take certain steps to ensure your safety before trying to deal with any insurance companies or law enforcement officers.
Contact A Lawyer
When it comes to dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, having an attorney on your side can make all the difference in getting compensated for any injuries sustained as well as damage done to your vehicle.
Car accidents are often complex, and you will need legal advice from someone who is experienced, which is why going through a personal injury lawyer after being involved in a car accident is usually the best decision you can make. If you need to find the right car accident lawyers in Atlanta for your needs, then take a look at the link to help make this process easier. The right lawyer has extensive experience in dealing with insurance companies and law enforcement officers, which will help ensure that your rights are protected throughout this process.
First, you need to call the police and file a report, which will document what happened during the accident as well as who was responsible for causing it. While doing this, try not to admit guilt or take responsibility for anything until your lawyer reviews the details of the case with you first. This is important because if there are any discrepancies between what actually occurred at the scene of an accident versus how both parties describe things later on, then they could potentially be used against either side in court, so avoid saying anything that can incriminate yourself before speaking with someone experienced in these matters first.
If The Accident Is Minor, Take Some Photos
You’ll want at least three images of each involved vehicle from different angles (front, back, and side views). Make sure that your camera’s date stamp is activated; this will come in handy if any disputes arise about when the incident occurred or what damage was done.
If anyone is hurt or bleeding, take photos of that too. Keep in mind that you can always retake the photo later if it’s not clear enough because your camera will have already stamped the date on them. You should also be cognizant of any other evidence at the scene (e.g., skid marks) and make sure to photograph those as well.
Make a note of where you were, what direction the traffic was going when the accident occurred, and take down any other relevant information (e.g., license plate numbers). You may also want to call 911 to inform them that there has been an accident but not anyone injured yet, so they don’t dispatch medical personnel until necessary. Remember that you can always call 911 again if there are injuries later.
Exchange Contact Information With The Other Driver
This includes their name, home address, driver’s license number, and insurance information (company name & policy number). You’ll also need to provide your contact details if possible including full name, phone numbers, mailing addresses/email addresses for you and any passengers involved in the car accident as well as all of your insurance information (company name & policy number).
If the other driver is uncooperative or even belligerent, make sure you get his/her license plate and call law enforcement. You can also go up to a uniformed police officer on the scene if there’s one present to file an accident report. If they refuse your request to file a report, tell them that you’ll need to do it yourself then.
You’ll Need To Obtain Any Witnesses Contact Information
If they are willing to provide it, then write down that person’s name, phone number/email address, home address, and other relevant information. Try not to take any written statements yet because you need to focus on getting better first before doing anything else.
When speaking with the witness(es), ask them what happened as well, so you have an accurate account of what occurred.
It’s best to write down everything in chronological order, so you can keep track of when certain events happened and how much time elapsed between them. If the other driver was at fault for causing the car accident, then make sure to ask him/her if they will be willing to sign their statement, which is beneficial for you because it means that the other party is admitting fault.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You’ll need to provide them with all of the relevant information about what happened, including where it occurred and the date/time. If possible, ask for a copy of the police report as well because this will help support your claim, which bodes well for you.
Your insurance company will usually send out an appraiser to inspect the damage done and then give you a call with how much your deductible is (the amount that’s deducted off of your claim). If it seems too high, ask them if they can lower it because this makes filing a car accident claim easier on you, which should be worth considering.
If possible, try not to agree on anything else until after talking with an attorney specializing in personal injury law so nothing slips by even though it might seem insignificant or simple at first glance. You need someone who understands what needs to happen when involved in any type of car accident because their expertise helps keep everything protected throughout this process.
It’s important when involved in a car accident like this one that one proceeds through each step carefully. This will ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible and there won’t be any problems later down the road with insurance companies or police procedures. It can make all of the difference if something isn’t done right the first time!
