If you’ve ever been in an auto accident, you know how disorienting the experience can be. Your immediate concern may be the assessment of any injuries, or potential injuries. If a loved one was in the vehicle with you, you may be focused entirely on them. Of course, there is also damage to your vehicle and the physical welfare of the party or parties in any other vehicles that were involved. In essence, life has become a blur.
However, this is the time that you need to do your best in order to remain calm. If there is no debilitating injury to you, personally, you will have to focus on what needs to be done, directly after an auto accident. The actions you take and the observations you make can directly influence the ultimate outcome of subsequent events.
Besides any needed medical care, your primary goal should be to make sure that you’re fairly compensated for any losses sustained by you and any passengers that were traveling with you, at the time of the accident. This means that, despite the initial shock that can follow an auto accident; you’ll need to take note of the details surrounding this traumatic occurrence.
We will include here, a brief checklist that you may find extremely useful should you find yourself in this unfortunate situation. You may wish to write these items down and carry this list in your vehicle – thus assisting you in the event you are involved in an auto accident and find it hard to focus your efforts. The items on this list can then be used when communicating with your insurance company or with an attorney.
At the time of the accident:
1) Obtain driver information: You’ll need to calmly (and without any hostility) exchange information with all other drivers, that were involved in the accident, such as name, driver’s license number, license tag number, insurance company name and policy number.
2) Photographs: When possible, take photographs of all damages to the involved vehicles and all your personal and passenger injuries. A general view of the accident scene is also needed. If your cell phone has a camera – that would be especially helpful.
3) Police report: Obtain a copy of the accident report if police responded. Ask the officers at the accident scene where you can obtain that copy (get a precinct phone number for directions).
4) Witnesses: Try to get down all names of witnesses, their addresses, phone numbers and any email addresses.
Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
If you’ve suffered an injury relating to an automobile accident, more information can be obtained from Bloom Legal, serving New Orleans, Louisiana.– visit them at http://www.bloomlegal.com/