What To Do and Avoid After a Car Accident
Getting into a car accident can be a massive source of stress and trauma, regardless of how severe or minor the damage may be. The situation becomes even more overwhelming if you don’t know how to properly handle the aftermath of the incident. Here are some road tips to alleviate your stress.
After Colliding with Another Vehicle, Follow These Steps
#1 – Always pull outside the travel lane. If you can do this safely without putting yourself or others on the road at risk, make this step an immediate priority. After pulling over and coming to a complete stop, exchange your driver’s license and insurance information with the other parties involved.
#2 – Take detailed pictures for documentation. Whether you have a phone, tablet, or Kodak camera on you, utilize your resources to record the damage to all vehicles. A picture is worth a thousand words, and pictures of a motor vehicle accident can tell a story that sometimes surpasses police statements in their value to the case.
#3 – Write down contact information. If there was an eyewitness to the crash, take down their personal information such as their full name, phone number, address, etc. Sometimes, the eyewitnesses fail to stick around for the investigating traffic officer and miss their chance to give an official statement. They can play an indispensable role in determining liability by sharing what they know about the car’s speed, the right-of-way, and more.
Do Not Give in to These Little Mistakes
#1 – Avoid admitting fault. Following the collision, you may experience feelings of guilt or anxiety if you feel that you caused the auto accident. However, immediately admitting wrongdoing is NOT the route you want to take. Even if you genuinely are liable for the crash, it is best to stick to the objective facts and internalize your personal opinions.
#2 – Avoid recorded statements. Do not consent to giving a recorded statement to the other party, including to their insurance company. If there is any hint of discrepancy in your story, insurance companies will seize the opportunity to exploit the small fallacies – they are not there to help you but to save money by paying the absolute minimum for any damage done to your car or your body.
#3 – Do not ignore your wounds. If you are noticing any difference in your physical abilities after an auto accident, get medical attention as soon as possible. Immediate medical treatment is beneficial for your well-being and your case! Insurance companies will be skeptical if you claim injury but do not urgently seek care.
More by The Edward A Smith Law Offices:
- Oakley Resident Killed in Head-On Collision
- Child Injured in Hit and Run Accident in Oakley
- Oakley Car Crash Sends Three to Hospital
Oakley Car Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, an Oakley Car Accident Lawyer. If you or a family member has suffered an injury in an auto accident, do not hesitate to call me at (925)-428-5220 or my toll-free number (800)-404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice. You can also submit a contact form on my own website, autoaccident.com.
I am a well-rated injury lawyer serving northern California communities, including Oakley, since 1982, exclusively taking wrongful death and personal injury claims.
My clients have personally written reviews of my practice; check them out on:
I have a solid record of past settlements and verdicts, which you can review anytime.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Image Attribution: Author Mason Jones – Unsplash.
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