Important Steps to Follow After A Crash

• 30 Jan 2017
• Long Island Personal Injury Attorney

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that every year there are approximately 10 million car crashes. Fortunately, many of these accidents are non-fatal. If you are involved in a car crash, your first reaction will affect your personal injury claim. The following are the steps you should take when involved in a car accident.

Call For Help and Move to Safety

The first step you should take is to check whether you are injured. If your injuries are not serious, you can call 911 but if you are severely injured, ask someone to call emergency personnel.

If you can be able to move, check whether your passengers are injured. If they are injured, call emergency services or request a bystander to help you contact them.

If your car is situated at a hazardous position, move it to an isolated side of the road. If you are unable to drive, turn your engine off, turn the hazard lights on and with the help of road flares, warn other drivers to slow down.

Notify Authorities

Whether your accident is a serious collision or an insignificant fender-bender, you should contact the police. You should also contact your insurance provider when you are at the scene of the crush so that they may tell you the requirements for processing the claim.

Take Detailed Notes

According to the Insurance Information Institute III, one of the best ways of protecting yourself after an accident is to take detailed notes of the accident.

• Take pictures of the location of your accident including traffic lights and stop signs. Take pictures from different angles both close and long distance snaps
• Take note of the identities of the officers who arrive at the scene-get their names and badge numbers
• Secure a copy of the accident/police report for accuracy
• Engage the other party or any witnesses. Write the names, addresses, and vehicle registration number of the parties involved in the accident.

Do not Admit Fault

The law presumes you to be innocent until you are proven guilty. Even though you think you are responsible for the accident, do not admit it to the police, witnesses, the other motorist, or your insurance provider. Admitting fault will jeopardize your right to a claim. Instead, give an honest account of the accident and let your insurance provider determine fault. If the law enforcement agents insist on further information, speak only after consulting a Queens personal injury attorney.

Do not Settle

Unless you have finished your medication and have fully recovered, it is not wise to settle. In some cases, injuries appear to be minor but down the road there are complications which call for further treatment. Settling before the nature of your injuries is fully determined denies you the right to make any further claim in case your condition deteriorates.

Another rule of thumb is to never append your signature on checks or release forms before you are prepared to settle. Insurance agents are notorious for luring personal injury victims into accepting unfair offers without their full knowledge. Therefore, make sure you have legal counsel to interpret the terms of your insurance provider and to advise you whether there is a better chance settling or going to court. For more information Contact Radow Law Group today!