Being involved in an automobile accident can be scary and stressful. Here is some basic information on what you can do to you help you out:
- Stay at the scene until the police have arrived. Never leave the scene until it is appropriate to do so. If you leave the scene of an accident and someone has sustained injuries or been killed, you could face serious criminal charges for being a hit-and-run driver.
- If you are physically able to do so, check on all passengers and/or drivers. Make sure to check that everyone involved in the accident is okay. Get medical attention immediately for anyone who may need it. It is important not to move an injured person until medical professionals have arrived.
- Call the police if anyone is injured or there is property damage. Request a police report number and the names of the responding officers.
- Exchange contact information with all drivers and passengers involved. Talk to drivers involved in the accident and get their names, addresses, telephone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers and insurance information.
- Talk to witnesses. Ask witnesses what they saw and get their names, addresses and telephone numbers.
- Take pictures of any damage to your vehicle and of the car accident scene for your lawyer and/or insurance agent.
- After the accident, inform your insurance company about the collision. Although you should tell your insurance company that the collision occurred, and provide factual information regarding the date and time of the incident, its location, and the names and addresses of the persons involved, it is usually best to consult a personal injury attorney before you tell the representative how the collision happened or discuss issues concerning fault. The general rule is that you should not give a recorded statement about the incident to anyone, including your own insurance company, without first discussing this with your attorney.
- Keep track of any medical treatment that you have received. This includes doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists and any other medical professionals. Keep a file of your medical bills and health insurance explanation of benefits (EOBs). Get a property damage valuation. Obtain a valuation for damages to your car from your insurance company or get estimates from auto repair shops.
- Only discuss the incident with your insurance company or San Diego personal injury attorneys.
For more information on personal injury law, visit the San Diego County Bar Association website.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal counsel or serve as legal advice. If you have a personal injury law matter, it is best to consult the advice of an attorney. You can get referred to an attorney for a free 30-minute consultation through the San Diego County Bar’s Lawyer Referral & Information Service at www.sdcba.org/ineedalawyer or by calling 1 (800) 464-1529.