How To Protect Yourself Following an Accident
Each year there are approximately 6 million car accidents in the United States. If you had the misfortune of getting into a car accident, would you know what to do? Follow these steps to make sure that all parties have the medical attention they need and that you protect yourself from liability.
Check On All Parties
After an accident, the first thing you should do is check that you and your passengers are safe and not in a position where anyone can be injured further. If you need to move to get to safety, do so. If any of your passengers are hurt, do not move them.
Call 911
Whether you are in a major accident or a minor fender bender, you should call the police. In many states, you are legally obligated to call 911 following an accident. The officers who respond will complete an accident report, which you will need to send to your insurance company. The report will also be useful to a personal injury lawyer Mt. Clemens if you have to get legal representation involved.
The police will analyze the scene and assess who is at fault for the accident. If police are unable to come to the scene, you should always go to the police station to report the accident, even if you believe you are at fault. Doing so can protect you from untrue claims from the other parties. If the driver of the other vehicle makes untrue claims against you and you did not report the accident, the insurance company may automatically conclude that the other driver’s report is true, even if it’s not.
Exchange Information
Before you leave the scene of the accident, exchange insurance information with the other driver. Get the driver’s full name, insurance company and policy number, license plate number, and driver’s license information. You should also note the make and model of the vehicle.
By following these steps, you can better protect yourself and make sure your insurance company has all the information it needs so you can file a claim.