What to do when in an automobile accident
By Granny’s Mettle |
In 2002, there were an estimated 6.3 million car accidents in the United States.
About 2.9 million injuries and 42,815 people were reported killed in auto
accidents.
Every year, the rates are increasing. More and more, people
are getting injured, if not killed, from automobile
accidents.
Unfortunately, most of us will experience this type of
accident at some time. That's why it is important for us to know certain things
that will provide significant assistance when we are in a car accident.
Remain at the scene of the accident.
If you are in an auto accident
involving injury, or substantial damage to property, stay at the scene of the
accident until the police arrive and tell you that you can leave. There are laws
requiring people involved to stay put and wait for the police to arrive and
investigate. Leaving the scene of the accident can get your license revoked, or
worse, your behavior can result to criminal charges.
Protect the
injured.
If you are trained in providing first aid, administer if somebody is
injured. However, it is important to remember never to move an injured person.
Moving him/her may result to further damage. Ask for somebody to contact the
police and report the incident. The person to contact the police should inform
that people are injured, and if possible, the number of persons injured so that
there will be enough emergency personnel to respond to the accident. If the
accident occurred on the roadway, turn on your flashers, or use flares to warn
approaching traffic of the accident.
Get information.
In any accident,
it is important to get information that you will use later on, especially during
your insurance claim. The following are the information you should
know:
•The other driver's name, address, driver's license number,
insurance information, and license plate number.
•If there are witnesses, get
their names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
•Ask for a business card from
the police officer who investigated the traffic scene. Also get the "incident
number" so that you can obtain an accident report. Most officers will provide
you with the information even if you don't ask.
•Take note of the
location—the road conditions, speed limits, traffic control devices, the
weather, and the lighting.
•Take note of how the accident occurred—the
direction of travel of the vehicles involved, and what the cars are doing at the
time of the accident. It is significant to note that you will be asked to share
your notes with the person you are suing or the person who is suing you if the
accident may result to litigation.
Never admit liability.
Even if you
believe you are at fault, do not admit liability. There may be other factors
which you don't know that may turn the fault to the other driver. Do not make
statements, on print or tape, to anybody at the accident scene, except for the
police. Nevertheless, when speaking to the police, tell them only the facts of
what happened. Let them make their own conclusion from the facts.
Seek
medical care.
See a doctor. This is to eliminate the probability of the
inability to obtain "no fault" benefits for your injuries. There are statutes in
every state pertaining to what the insurance can cover. If you do not see a
doctor, you might find later on that the insurance company or the other driver
involved in the accident argue that your injuries were not related to the
accident. In addition, the "adrenaline rush" from the accident can mask
symptoms, which a physical examination can otherwise reveal.
Tell the
doctor your symptoms--- any loss of memory, headache, blood or fluid in the ear,
dizziness, disorientation, ringing in the ears, nausea, confusion, or any other
unusual physical or mental feeling.
It is best to be safe. Report your
symptoms so that a medical expert can rule out the possibility of a much greater
damage.
Dealing with automobile accidents can be overwhelming, especially
of you are not aware of the ins and outs of the legalities regarding this
problem. So if you or a family member is a victim or have suffered from an
automobile accident, it is better to have a reliable and competent lawyer to
assist you in your claims. The lawyer will provide you the opportunity for a
fair outcome, as well as recover damages that you deserve.
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