The moments after a car crash are some of the most crucial. During this time, you can collect evidence and speak to witnesses, helping your future claim. However, if you have serious injuries, your top priority is to seek medical attention. If you can move around the scene without pain or further danger, you can take the following actions.
Call the police and report the accident. Answer the responding officer’s questions as truthfully as possible, and if you do not know an answer, respond with “I don’t know.”
Take photographs of your injuries, both vehicles, and the area around the accident.
Exchange contact information with the other driver and any witnesses who saw the collision.
Do not accept any money from the uninsured driver. At this point, you do not know the full costs of your injuries, and you may accept a lower settlement than what you need to recover. It is in your best interest to pursue an UM/UIM claim.
Not all uninsured or underinsured motorists stay at the scene. If you are in a hit and run situation, take the following steps to preserve evidence.
Do not follow the fleeing driver. Instead, call the police and report the accident. The sooner the police know about the driver, the sooner they can find him or her.
Write down as much information you can remember about the driver, the accident, and his or her vehicle. Note the date, time, events leading up the accident, and a description of the vehicle and the driver.
Take photographs of your vehicle and ask any witnesses for any information they remember. Collect their contact information as well for use in your future claim.
In all situations, you should call 911 as soon as possible. When law enforcement arrives, speak to the responding officer and ask for his or her information to find the accident report later. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you do not feel hurt, and save all records of your medical visits. After you seek treatment, contact an attorney at Jordan Law as soon as possible.