What to do After a Car Accident Checklist

Millions of car accidents occur every year. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, it’s important to know exactly what steps follow after a collision. It’s essential for you to collect as much information after the accident as possible. This can include contact information and anything that can be used in potential negotiations with insurance providers and personal injury cases.

First, if the police haven’t been called yet, call the police.

1. Gather Information From the Other Drivers

After you and everyone involved in the accident are safe, it’s time to start gathering the other party’s contact and insurance information. If you’re involved in a multi-vehicle accident, make sure to get everyone’s information, even if your car didn’t collide with all of the vehicles involved in the accident.

Also, gather contact information from witnesses at the scene. This information could be extremely important if your accident results in a trial. Collecting this information as soon as possible is vital to help us build your case.

2. Take Pictures

Taking pictures of the accident scene is one of the best and most effective ways to take your protection into your own hands. If your accident requires negotiations with insurance providers or going to trial, then these photographs will serve as a way to provide evidence of the scene right after the collision. Make sure to take pictures of the damaged vehicles, various street signs around the area, and different angles of the street. These photographs provide you with the unique opportunity to give us — your attorneys — an idea of how the accident occurred. It may give evidence that leads to who was initially responsible for the collision. Make sure to photograph the entire scene, the people, and the vehicles. Do not photograph injuries or put yourself in danger by being in harm’s way.

3. Be Aware of What You Say

It’s important to be aware of what you say to the police or anyone else involved in the collision. Any statements of self-blame may be used against you in insurance negotiations or in the courtroom. Before you talk to anyone, contact us at Hartpence Law for legal advice.