As personal injury attorneys, we are often asked what to do if you are involved in a car accident. Although there is no standard protocol, here are some helpful hints for you if you are ever involved in a car accident.
Irrespective of whose fault the accident was, you should always remain at the scene. It is best to leave your car in the same position it was immediately after the accident until the police arrive. However, sometimes common sense requires you to move the vehicle from an unsafe location to one where you and others will be safe.
You should also render such assistance as is necessary to any and all persons injured. Please keep in mind that this does not require moving an individual because movement of an injured person could cause more serious injury. You should check on the other individual and call and obtain assistance immediately.
If you are on a highway, you should make sure that you are not walking into a line of traffic and you should turn on your flashers. If you have flares, they should also be utilized.
Remember that whatever you say potentially could be used against you. Remember that you do not need to comment upon the actual accident which may be best in cases where your emotions are running high. You should also try to remember everything that anybody else says to you at the accident scene.
When the police arrive, you should fully cooperate with them and have your driver's license, car registration, and insurance cards available. You do not have to give a statement to the investigating officer although most of the time it is best for you to do so if you are confident about what happened.
After leaving the accident scene, you should immediately contact your insurance carrier and report the accident and provide them with whatever information they request.
Once again, if you are in an accident, you should immediately tend to the needs of anybody injured first, make sure the accident scene is safe, and do not leave the scene until you have provided full and complete contact information to the other driver or the police depending upon the severity of the collision.
We at the Fitzsimmons Law Firm hope you are never placed into such a position. However, if you are, hopefully these tips can be helpful.