subject: What Do I Do After A Car Accident? [print this page] What Do I Do After A Car Accident? What Do I Do After A Car Accident?
by Jason Smith - Law Offices of Alon Darvish
The safety of those involved in an accident is, of course, a main priority. The first step in ensuring safety is to call 911. While emergency medical personnel are en route take a few minutes to assess any personal injuries sustained by yourself and others. Try to remember all injuries immediately following the accident and make a written note or a mental note of such injuries so you can later use that information to inform medical personnel, your attorney or law firm, and the insurance company of the other party.
As you may know, life moves a little faster in the Los Angeles area. In addition, time will move much faster after a car accident and when you are exchanging information with another party or giving an accident report. You should remember to gather as much information as possible before the proper Los Angeles law enforcement authorities or the California Highway Patrol arrives on scene. This information includes the license plate of the vehicles involved in the accident and any other helpful information to identification, such as names, home addresses and driver's license numbers. If you are unable to get this information from the other driver, then simply wait for the proper Los Angeles law enforcement authorities or the California Highway Patrol.
There is no doubt that you will want the reporting process to go quickly so can make it to work or get home. You can quicken this process by noting the facts of the accident as soon as possible. Note the time of the accident, the cross-streets or approximate location of the accident, and the number of persons involved in the accident.
Because accidents happen often in Los Angeles and because your vehicle is likely to be blocking traffic when an accident occurs, you may feel obligated to move your car off the road in order to keep traffic moving. Although this seems like it will be better for others, it is not better for you to just exchange information with the other driver or to move your vehicle. Wait for the proper Los Angeles law enforcement authorities and emergency medical personnel to arrive. This will ensure that future problems are not created for you and your lawyer in recovering money for your personal injuries and property damage. As an additional tip, even if your injuries seem minor at the time, it is always smart to have medical personnel dispatched to the scene so they can at least do a quick assessment of all injuries, including anything minor.
When the medical responders arrive you want to make sure you give a complete and accurate report. Relaying the proper information will eliminate future problems for you or your attorney in getting compensation for your personal injuries, property damage, and any pain and suffering damages. Before talking to the medical personnel take thirty seconds to recall the facts of the accident and all injuries to you and any passengers, including the point of impact, the approximate speed at the time of the accident, the way your injuries were created, and any pain that you initially felt or have started to feel.
When talking to police officers remember that they often take quick notes that they will later use in making a report, sometimes hours later. You want to make sure this report contains adequate, basic information about the car accident that will be useful to you, your attorney, and the insurance companies. Take thirty seconds to recall and remember how the accident occurred, including the time of the accident, the direction you were headed, the approximate speed at the time of impact, the cause of the accident, and if the other party admitted fault.
