4 Things To Do Before Leaving The Scene Of An Automotive Accident
by Lawrence Miller
Many personal injury cases originate from an automotive collision. Still, immediately after a car accident, injured victims can make poor decisions that may badly influence their case. For instance, if an adjuster shows up on the scene and an accident victim haphazardly speaks to the adjuster without realizing the ramifications of his or her statements, the validity of the accident case can be compromised. The adjuster may ask a simple question about how the accident victim is feeling. Even if the victim is apparently injured, if he or she says that he or she is feeling fine, this statement can be used to invalidate an injury claim.
Here are a few things that an accident victim can do at the scene of a car accident to help ensure that his or her personal injury case is rightly supported:
Record the contact information of witnesses.
If there were people present to witness the car accident, it is best to obtain their names and phone numbers at the scene of the accident. Once these individuals leave, it can be almost impossible to track them down. Still, their testimony or account of what occurred can help support your recollection of the event.
Take photographs of the accident scene.
By taking photos the accident scene, you are securing evidence of what transpired. Pictures of the damages suffered by the vehicles should be taken. In addition, snapshots of the overall scene, including nearby traffic signs or lights, should be taken. Also, if other proof of the accident, such as skid marks, are present on the road , pictures of this evidence should be obtained as well.
Photos can also help you record important information, such as the license plate number of the other driver.
The photos will also display the weather conditions that were present at the time of the incident.
Call law enforcement immediately.
It is also imperative that you call law enforcement as soon as the accident occurs. The police officer dispatched to the scene will record information concerning the event. His or her report will be essential to your accident case. In addition, if you leave the scene of the accident without notifying the police, you may incur negative charges or fines.
Ask for medical help if you need it.
Some accident victims may be reluctant to ask for medical treatment at an accident scene. However, if you believe that you have been injured in any way, it is best to have your condition professionally assessed. Even injuries that may seem minor to you at first can become worse over time. If emergency personnel believe that they cannot effectively treat you at the scene, they will transport you to a nearby hospital. All of your care will be recorded in medical reports, which can help provide proof of your injuries.
To learn more things that you should do before leaving the scene of a car accident, consult with a personal injury attorney (such as one from Vaughan & Vaughan) in your area.
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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.