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Car accidents are stressful, to say the least. No matter the severity of the accident itself, those involved may need to deal with insurance companies, law enforcement, and least of all physical injuries. Below, our California personal injury team provides tips on how you can help make sure the process following an accident is as smooth as possible.
Make Sure Everyone is Safe
The first thing you should do, which should come as no surprise is to make sure everyone is ok. Even if no one is severely injured, it can help determine the urgency of what comes next.
Report the Accident
Calling the police may sometimes seem like a stressful thing to do, but it can help to report the incident when you file a claim with your insurance company or if the opposite driver was driving under the influence.
When the police arrive at the scene, however, it is important to make sure you give as accurate an account as possible of the accident. Do your best not to speculate or guess what happened to make sure the report is not inaccurate.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
If you contact the police, they will typically take information from everyone involved, but if they do not respond quickly, you may need to do so yourself. Pieces of information you should look to gather are:
- Names
- Phone numbers
- Addresses
- Insurance information
You should also look to gain any information from possible witnesses of the accident in case they need to be contacted in the future.
Photograph Everything
In this day and age, almost everyone has a high-quality camera right in their pocket. Take pictures of any physical damage to your car, and even yourself at the time of the accident if you are physically able to do so, or of any other injuries to other people involved.
What Not to Say
While there are a number of things you should do after an accident, there are some things that you should never say. Do your best to avoid apologizing, even if out of habit, as it can help you avoid a future lawsuit with your admission of guilt. Even the accident is not your fault, the other driver may try to use your apology against you in court.
Contact Our Seasoned Personal Injury Team Today
Getting into a car accident can be an absolute nightmare. While practically every circumstance is different, the experienced team at The Sexton Law Firm is prepared to discuss your options and help make sure your case is as smooth and efficient as possible.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, contact us today through our website or give us a call at (619) 202-8976 to schedule your consultation today!