What to do at the Car Accident Scene
Steps to help you through gathering information
1. Check Everyone – When an Sacramento car accident occurs the first thing you should do is make sure everyone is ok and does not need medical attention. Some states require by law, that you must seek medical attention for injured parties or you could possible face criminal charges or a civil lawsuit.
If someone needs medical attention try and get a person not involved in the car accident to phone police or an ambulance. No one should leave the scene of the accident. If the accident is minor, the police may not respond. The police will usually respond to accident that involve injury, fatality, no insurance, or other driving offences, hit and run or if a fight breaks out over who is at fault.
2. Look for witnesses – If someone does phone the police for you make sure you ask them if they saw the accident. If they did, get their name and address before they leave the scene.
3. Protect the area – Turn on you hazard lights and if possible raise the hood of your car to alert other drives there is a problem. If it is night use flames and reflectors to alert traffic to the situation.
4. Take pictures – Many people now have cell phones with built in cameras so before any cars move after the collision, take a few pictures. If you don’t have a cell phone with a camera buy a disposable camera and keep it in your glove compartment.
5. Do not Argue but Speak Up – Don’t argue with the other driver or passengers about who is at fault. If police do arrive to take a police report definitely speak up and do not let the other driver be the only one giving his/her version of what happened.
6. Get Information – The most important step after an accident is to get the other drivers information. The most important is the other drivers insurance card, this contains Name/Address/VIN/Name of their insurance company.
7. Do not Sign Anything – Do not sign any paper that shows you are responsible for the accident. Keep your notes and comments to yourself. Admit nothing and sign nothing even if you think you caused the accident.
If you sign something that releases the other party from responsibility your insurance company’s rights will be jeopardized and your insurance company may refuse to pay for damage to your vehicle.
8. Do not Accept Payment – Even if the accident is minor you should not accept payment at the scene. These could be hidden damage to your vehicle or you may have minor whiplash/back pain which will not how up until later.
If you are suffering from injuries due to the negligence of another driver, the last thing you want to do is chase down compensation for medical bills and lost wages. Contact a Sacramento car accident lawyer at our office for your free consultation today. Liable insurance companies may be slow to respond to claims and even slower to pay. Pursuing an insurance claim can seem like a full time job.
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Free Injury Case Consultation
Home, Hospital or Office Visits
Call (530) 677-5890 or (916) 962-2896
Travis G. Black & Associates, Inc. provides legal representation all over Northern California. We can meet with you at anyone of our convenient offices located in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Gold River and Cameron Park.
Toll-Free: (888) 744-3575