A car accident can be a frightening experience. Despite that, it is very important that you keep your head if you go through one and make sure that you protect yourself both physically and legally. You might not have the knowledge that skilled car accident lawyers possess, but if you follow these five tips, you will put yourself in the best possible situation given the circumstances.
1: Exchange Insurance Information
This is possibly the most essential step to take following a car accident, yet many people skip this step. The most common reason that people don’t exchange insurance information is that the damage looks inconsequential or the people involved in the accident know each other and figure they can get in touch later. Don’t make this mistake. Get insurance information, even in the case of a minor fender bender. This not only gives you a contact with the other party, but it helps protect you in case something unexpected comes up later. The last thing you want is to experience pain days after the accident but have no information to provide to a lawyer. If you are New York resident, check dmv.ny.gov for more details.
2: Get a Police Report
It might seem like a hassle to flag down a police officer or call your local law enforcement for assistance, but a police report is one of the first things that personal injury lawyers look for. Having a police officer check out the scene gives you a neutral third party who can verify the fact should a lawyer get in touch with them. If you don’t have a report on file, then any action taken later on the accident becomes a case of your word versus the other person’s claims. With no proof, either way, you are at much higher personal risk and less likely to get the judgment you deserve.
3: Avoid Claiming Fault
If you think you were at fault for the accident, you might feel inclined to own up to your mistake. Don’t claim fault, even if the circumstances seem clear cut to you. In most cases, neither side of the accident is 100% to blame. Even if this is a case where everything is on you, let the insurance companies or a court of law decide that. Feel free to converse with the other party, but don’t claim fault under any circumstances.
4: Take Photos
If you live in the Toronto area, odds are very strong that you will need to seek out a car accident lawyer in Toronto following an accident. Prepare for this occasion by taking photos and getting a physical record of the accident scene. The more thorough you can be, the more effectively a lawyer can serve you should this become a court case. Even if lawyers don’t get involved, having the evidence on hand should make your insurance claim process much smoother in the long run.
5: Seek Out a Car Accident Lawyer
This is an important step to take even if nobody was injured and the damage is relatively minor. The benefit of speaking to a reliable lawyer as soon as possible is that you have somebody who can provide you with advice and guidance after the traumatic event. Even if the case doesn’t go to court, getting advice from a professional lawyer who specializes in these matters can help make the insurance claims process much easier. If you live in Ontario, you can visit hldlawyers.com personal injury and car accident lawyers in Toronto to get immediate helpful advice and assistance.
Even when a car accident seems cut and dried, it can become more complicated than you ever expected. That is why it is important to make sure that you are protected, that you get your statement down with a neutral third party if possible, and that you seek out the aid of a trustworthy car accident lawyer. By doing all these things, you will guarantee yourself a chance to get out of this stressful situation as smoothly as possible.
