A car accident can be one of the most traumatic things people experience in life. In the United States alone there are over 227 million drivers on the road and an estimated 6 million passenger accidents per year. In the best case scenarios, there are no injuries and the damage to all vehicles involved is minor, but assigning fault and handling the post-accident affairs accordingly can still be extremely stressful.
If you are in a car accident that is not your fault, it is important to know what steps to take moving forward to avoid being taken advantage of by other motorists and insurance companies. In the confusion of a physically and mentally jarring incident like a car accident, it can be difficult to remember what to do. Keeping a checklist handy as a reminder is recommended.
Immediately following an accident you will want to check for injuries on your person and others involved. Contact emergency services, and do not attempt to move other victims yourself unless it is absolutely necessary. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location and wait for police and emergency medical technicians to arrive.
The police will collect all compulsory information upon arrival, but it is a good idea to personally gather info — names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. — beforehand if you are able. It is also helpful to take pictures of all damage at the scene and obtain contact details of potential witnesses. Having this information could be vital if the driver at fault fails to report the accident to their insurance company, reports the accident improperly, or has no insurance at all.
Even if you do not have visible wounds, it is important to be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Things like shock and adrenaline may delay the effects of possible internal injuries sustained in the accident, and a thorough examination following an accident will make compensation for required treatments more likely.
Although the insurer of the at-fault driver should cover your damages, they may try to shirk responsibility by offering less compensation than what you are entitled to or deny your claim completely. By informing your insurance company within 24 hours of the accident, certain protections can be utilized to ensure that the at-fault driver is held accountable and that you get full compensation if the driver has insufficient coverage.
It is important to fully understand your rights after experiencing a no-fault car accident. Depending on how the post-accident events unfold, you may want to consider suing. If your claim is denied or the at-fault driver’s insurer wants to pay less than what your damages require, let the personal injury team at Stone Canyon Law evaluate your claim and make sure you receive appropriate compensation for your damages.
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