Accidents happen when we least expect them. While it is impossible to know when and where your next accident will occur, you can be prepared by knowing what to do when it does. Below you’ll find helpful information about what you should do on the scene.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact our car accident lawyers at for legal help with your case.
Call The Police Or 911
If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately and do not leave the scene of an accident. Even if no one is hurt, call the police. Don’t just exchange personal information, insurance information, and phone numbers with the other party involved in the accident.
Collect Information
Get the contact information from the other driver, including their name, address, phone number, license plate number, and insurance company.and insurance company. Also, note the color and make and model of the vehicles involved for the insurance claim. Get the name of any police officers at the scene and the names and phone numbers of any passengers or witnesses who may have seen the accident. As soon as you get the chance, draw a diagram of the scene, or, better yet, take pictures while on the scene if it is safe to do so. Get pictures of all vehicles involved to note any property damage.
Do Not Discuss Fault
Do not admit fault, and do not blame the other party either. However, if the other party admits fault, make a note of it. Write down exactly what they said or make sure the police officer on the scene includes it in his accident report.
Notify Your Insurance Agent
All car insurance policies require you to notify your insurance provider shortly after an accident to begin the claim process. Any delays can result in the potential denial of your claim.
Call An Experienced Attorney
Protect your rights and call an attorney with experience in auto accidents and personal injury claims. Deciding fault can be very complicated, and the insurance companies don’t have your best interests in mind. Get the attorneys of McCoy & Sparks, PLLC, on your side before you make any statements or agree to anything. It’s our job to make sure you get the settlement you deserve.
Video Transcript
If you can get out of your car, then take the information of everybody that you can that witnessed the accident. Now typically, people expect an officer’s going to do that. Well, I can tell you from both personal experience and hundreds of cases, the officers sometimes get everybody’s name. Sometimes they don’t get anyone’s name and if they don’t get anyone’s name and you don’t get out and get anyone’s name, you’re never going to be able to talk to those people later. So if you’ve got your wits about you, you’re not physically injured too much, get out of your car, get your camera out, your phone. Take photographs of the scene. Take photographs of the marks on the road. The black marks of the damages to your car, speak to the officer and speak to witnesses. Not telling them what happened or what you think happened, but just getting their name, asking them. You become an investigator.
“Did you see what happened? Okay. Great. Can I get your name? Can I get your address or phone number?” So that later we can go back and button all that down tight with that information. You don’t get it, it’s gone. And then get yourself checked out. One of the first responses often from an insurance suggester is, “Well, the police report says there were no injuries.” And I can’t tell you how many cases, even cases that developed into serious problems, where the person because they’re under the influence of adrenaline, they think they’re okay. And they say, “I’m not hurt. I’m fine.” The officer works down his report, “No injuries.” That doesn’t mean there was no injuries, but it’s a big hurdle you have to overcome.
Insurance companies will say, “Well, we understand there was no accident nor injuries. So go to hospital, if you have any doubt. If it’s a major enough accident to cause you to experience any significant discomfort. You’re adult, go get yourself checked out. It’s going to be paid by PIP, so you’re not going to have any bills as a result of it and doctors can look at you.” You could have a bleed going on but you’re not… Either internal bleed or a brain bleed that you don’t know about till you get home. It can be too late and so get yourself checked out. And then as quickly as possible, give us a call so that we can give you some advice as to how to handle it specifically.