A car accident can be an extremely traumatic, stressful event for all involved. Racing thoughts may be going through your mind regarding possible injuries, damage to your car, insurance issues, or whether you should get the police involved. Despite these worries, it is imperative for you to keep a calm, cool and collected mind in the moments immediately following a crash.
Car accidents can happen at any time, for any number of reasons. However, if your particular accident was caused by a driver who was engaging in negligent behavior, such as driving while intoxicated, speeding, or while talking on a cell phone, you may be able to obtain financial compensation by bringing the case to court. For a free case evaluation, contact the experienced car accident lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider at (317) 634-8565.
What to Do After a Car Accident
In order to be safe and prepare proper documentation of the car accident, the following steps should be taken right after the collision:
- Turn on hazard lights on your vehicle and put up flares or warning triangles to deter surrounding traffic. Get yourself out of the car and off the roadway to avoid further injury. Try to get off the shoulder of the roadway in case other cars come upon the accident too quickly and cannot stop.
- Call 911 immediately to have a police officer on the scene, regardless of the severity. This will provide official, legal documentation should you need it later. Also, contact emergency services if any injury is sustained.
- Write down all of the other driver’s information including name, phone number, address, license number, license plate number, insurance information, details of the damage to your car and anything else you think may be applicable.
- Take photos of all cars involved. Be sure to include any scenic details that could indicate the context of the situation. This includes speed limit signs, medians, hazardous road conditions, construction sites or any other obstacles in the road.
- Do not admit fault or discuss fault with the other driver. Speak only with your insurance company or law enforcement officer regarding the details of the accident.
- Contact your attorney to discuss our legal options following the accident.
By following these simple recommendations, you can help yourself, the insurance company, and the potential lawyer in determining the facts of the case and collecting vital evidence regarding the situation. You can never gather too much information after a car accident because even the simplest fact or photo may be the deciding factor in assigning fault.
Information to Document at the Scene of an Accident
The following is a list of useful information to gather following the accident:
- Date of the accident
- Time of day
- Location/weather conditions
- Other driver’s information
- Any witness information
- Jot down a general description of the accident
- Jot down the damage to your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle
- Make a note if the other party admitted fault
- Draw a diagram of the accident
- Get the police officer’s name and badge number
Contact Us
If you believe your accident was caused by a careless, reckless driver, it would behoove you to contact the experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider today at (317) 634-8565.
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