Dos and Don'ts

Following a car accident, many victims are left confused, distressed, and injured. As a result, they do not have the composure to make sure they gather all of the critical information that is needed to construct a strong auto accident lawsuit later. The decisions you make in the minutes, hours, and days following your accident are critical. Read the following dos and don'ts to educate yourself on exactly what you need to do if you are in a car accident.

Dos

• Do ensure that your tow operator, mechanic, or junkyard contact retains any and all pieces of evidence, even things that may seem insignificant.
• Do document the scene as best you can. Take notes, sketch a diagram of the accident, note the date and time, and jot down any significant landmarks or weather conditions.
• Do get information from the other drivers involved, including full name, insurance, license number, address, and two ways to contact them. Obtaining both a phone number and email address is ideal.
• Do make sure you are aware of the difference between the replacement value of your car and what you actually owe on the car. If your car is totaled, most car insurance will only cover the cash value of your vehicle at the time of the accident.
• Do keep receipts for money you spend on car rental, medical bills, and purchases made in connection with the motor vehicle accident.
• Do call the police. Dial 9-1-1. A police report is one of the first piece of evidence that can be used to substantiate your case.
• Do take pictures of the property damage.
• Do videotape the scene as soon as possible. Come back to document it if you do not have a camera on you.
• Do get witness names, numbers, and addresses
• Do take pictures of any bruising, cuts, scrapes, and other injuries you may have suffered

Don'ts

• Do not give a statement to the other side's insurance company.

• Do not wait to seek legal representation. The longer you put off getting help, the harder it will be to prove your case and make sure you are compensated.

• Do not ignore time limits to file your insurance claim run out. If you do, your claim may might be barred.

• Do not accept a check from your insurance company, especially if it says final payment. Wait until you have obtained legal advice and carefully weighed your options.

• Do not sign a release or waiver until you have gotten reliable legal advice. You may feel pressure to sign from your insurance company, but it is your right to explore your options.

• Do not rely on the other driver to contact you. Be sure to obtain all contact and insurance information there at the scene, as it may be impossible to later.

Contact us

If you have already been involved in a car accident and need legal assistance, contact the Umansky Law Firm today.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions about auto accidents here.

Did you know? Little known facts about car accidents here.