subject: What to Do at the Scene of a Traffic Accident [print this page] What to Do at the Scene of a Traffic Accident
It is important to preserve as much evidence as you can at the scene of a traffic collision. Preserving evidence will ensure the fairest possible resolution of your claim and will prevent less-than-honest parties from manipulating the claims process with dishonest accounts of what happened. In all cases, no matter how small the damage or injuries, you should take the following steps:
Report your accident to the police and all interested insurance companies. When police are called to the scene of an accident, they will collect statements from the drivers and potential witnesses and draft a report of these facts. The police report is useful to insurance companies in making a determination of liability in your claim.
Take photographs of the scene of the accident. Capture the positioning of the cars, broken glass or car parts in the road, the presence of skid marks and all damage to the vehicles. Don't worry if all you have is your camera phone. The important thing is to be able to provide visual evidence of whatever quality to the insurance company investigators who are tasked with piecing together the cause of your accident. If photographs support your version of events, a finding of liability in your favor is highly likely.
Obtain the contact information for all people who witnessed your accident. Insurance companies place great weight on the accounts of unbiased third parties in making determinations of liability. If you can find several witnesses who support your version of events, it will be difficult if not outright impossible for insurance companies to make a finding against you.
Exchange your insurance information with the other drivers involved in your accident. This is a requirement of law and one of the most important things you can do following an accident. If you fail to obtain information regarding the identities of the other parties, your insurance company may hold you responsible for all damages, even if the accident was not your fault.
Do not admit fault for the accident, even if you believe that you caused it. You just endured significant physical and emotional trauma and are in no position to make a legal determination regarding fault in a motor-vehicle collision. The reality is that a complex chain of events may have caused your accident in which you played a small part or no part at all. The bottom line is that you don't know for sure what happened and you have no obligation to supply your opinion at this time.
Contact an attorney regarding your claim. Insurance companies are businesses trying to protect their bottom line, and they generally try to settle claims for the bare minimum amount they can offer in good faith. An experienced attorney will ensure that your physical damages, emotional damages, property damages and loss of earnings are all properly accounted for and you receive the maximum amount to which you are entitled.
Our law office represents clients all throughout southern California. If you have been injured in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact us for a no-obligation, free consultation. We can be reached at (619) 491-0803. Visitour website for more information.
