Be Prepared: 4 Things To Do If You're Involved In A Car Accident
by Lawrence Miller
Unless you're driving in a demolition derby, you want to avoid car accidents. Unfortunately, statistics show that there are over 5 million auto accidents each year in the United States. With those numbers, the chances are pretty high that you're going to be involved in an accident at some point in your life. Knowing what to do after an accident can help you prepare for the aftermath if it should happen. Here are five things you should do if you're ever involved in a car accident.
Call the Police
When you're in a car accident, you should call the police as soon as it's safe to do so. Even if there are no serious injuries, the police will be able to provide you with a thorough report of the incident. The information included on the report – location, insurance information, and accident details – will be crucial when dealing with the insurance companies.
Don't Admit Fault
If you're at fault for the accident, you might be tempted to admit it at the accident scene. Don't do it. Even if you think admitting fault is the right thing to do, it can jeopardize your case later on. There may be circumstances you're not aware of that could take fault away from you. Unfortunately, if you admit fault, you might not be able to argue your innocence when it matters most.
Talk to Witnesses
If you're not seriously injured, try to speak to witnesses at the accident scene. These witnesses may be able to provide information that can help your case. Be sure to get their full names, phone numbers and, if possible, their addresses. It's also a good idea to have the witnesses write a short statement about the accident. This will allow them to document what they saw while the accident is still fresh in their minds.
Consult an Attorney
Even if you think you want to deal with the accident without an attorney, it's still a good idea to seek legal advice from a personal injury attorney after an accident. This is especially true if you were seriously injured, will be out of work due to those injuries, or you suffered financial losses as a result of the accident.
It can be difficult to know what your injuries and losses are worth. The other insurance company is going to want to settle the claim as quickly – and as cheaply – as possible. An attorney at a respected law firm will be able to help you get the settlement you're entitled to.
No matter how diligent you are while you're driving, chances are you'll be involved in an accident. Be prepared. This list will help you take the right steps if you're ever in a car accident.
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About Me
What kind of injuries can you hold someone liable for? How severe do the injuries have to be? When my husband was injured by a faulty saw, we weren't sure what we were going to do. At that time, we didn't have any health insurance and had to try to come up with the money for emergency and long-term medial treatment. This created an impossible time for my family. My husband was out of work and we had medical bills piling up because a product that we paid a lot of money for malfunctioned and injured my husband. So, what can you do when this happens? Read through my blog.