What to Do After a highway traffic accident?
Although highway traffic accidents are more prevalent in the winter months, what you need to do after a
car accident never changes. Obviously it is hard to think clearly after an accident so it is
important to know before you get into an accident what to do first and what questions may need
answered. This checklist will help you know what to do after an accident.
If you have been involved in a highway traffic accidents, there are a number of things you can do to preserve your
legal rights. First and foremost, you should not delay in consulting your lawyer if you have been
injured or have suffered property damage as a result of an accident. Beyond that, the
following is a summary of some of the most important things you can do to protect your legal
rights after an accident:
1. Do not leave the scene. If you leave the scene of a highway traffic accident, you may be criminally
prosecuted. You are required to provide your name, address, driver's license and auto insurance
information to the other driver.
2. Help the injured. If someone has been injured in the highway traffic accidents, you should call for
paramedics and assist them to the extent you are qualified. Before calling for the ambulance, be
prepared to give an accurate location of the accident and assessment of the number of individuals
injured.
3. Avoid additional collisions. Make sure your vehicle is not presenting a safety hazard to
other motorists. It should be moved so that it is not obstructing traffic, if possible. You can
further notify oncoming traffic to proceed with caution by setting out flares, turning on your hazard lights, and raising the hood and trunk of your vehicle.
4. Notify the police. Typically the police will prepare a report that contains various
information concerning the car accident and the parties involved. While you may not be required to
callthe police, the highway traffic accident reports they produce could be helpful to you later.
5. Do not admit liability. You should not admit responsibility for the car accident to the
other drivers, passengers, or to the police for that matter. You may convey facts concerning how the
incident occurred; however, it is best not to comment on your responsibility (or liability) for the
accident. This is a legal matter that is not always readily and easily ascertainable. Judgment as
to who was at fault should be reserved for a later time and be based on a number of factors.
6. Obtain information. You should get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any
individuals involved in the car accident, as well as any witnesses to the car accident. You should also
obtain the name of the insurance company and policy number of the other drivers involved. If
possible, you may take photographs to document the car accident scene including skid marks, road
obstructions, and damage to the vehicles.
7. Notify your insurance company. If you do not give your insurance company prompt notice,
your policy may provide that the insurance company may deny coverage for your claim. Accordingly,
you should give your insurance company notice by way of telephone and by written notice that provides
you a means of proving such notice was given, such as by facsimile or by certified mail. You should
provide your insurance company with all information they request concerning the facts of the car accident.
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