What you do in the minutes following a car accident could go a long way toward affecting related litigation, according to a recent article in Forbes. The article details the steps to take immediately following an auto accident.
Step 1: Ensure Safety
Before you do anything else, check for injuries. Call 911 if there are serious injuries to you or to the other driver or passengers. Then, make sure your vehicle is in a safe location. Move it to the side of the road if needed. Turn on your hazard lights and set up flares and cones.
Step 2: Call for Assistance
If you did not need to call 911, you still will want to call the police. A police report will help in an accident claim. If your car is not drivable, call a tow truck or your roadside assistance provider.
Step 3: Exchange Contact/Insurance Information
You will want to get the name and contact information from the other driver, as well as driver’s license and license plate number. You can use your phone’s camera to take pictures of these documents and the plate. Note the make, model and color of the car, and names of any other parties involved. If there are witnesses, get their contact information as well. Avoid discussing who was at fault.
Step 4: Take Photos to Tell the Story
You can use the camera in your phone to document the accident. Take photos of injuries, of damage to your car, and of the location. Make sure to show a sense of scale, such as photographing a dent alongside a coin or car key. Taking pictures from many angles and distances will help to accurately tell the story.
Completing these steps can help you with insurance claims and also a lawsuit if negligence was involved. If you would like to talk to an experienced auto/car accident attorney, please reach out to us. Our firm is recognized as a leader in litigating car accident cases throughout Pennsylvania.