Thread: After a car accident

The following checklist should be completed after any automotive accident whether large or small.

1) Determine the Extent of Damage or Injuries

Try to stay calm. Panic can make others panic and the situation worse. There needs to be a calm person to determine the extent of damage and to determine if there are any injuries that need immediate medical attention.

2) File a Car Accident Report with the Police

Even in a minor accident it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report. Do not leave the scene until the police file a full report.

3) Discuss the Car Accident Only with the Police

With everyone all shook up it can be hard not to talk about what just happened, but that can also lead to you not thinking clearly and accurately about what happened. It is important to limit your discussion of the accident and not to admit any fault or liability. You should talk about the accident with the police and your insurance agent only.

4) Get the Facts

This is the part most people know to do, but often forget to after the accident for one reason or another. It is important to get names, address, and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident. A description of the car and license plate number can also be helpful, but make sure you also get their insurance company and the vehicle identification number of their car. Don't just assume the license plate number will do because most insurance companies only record the type of car and the vehicle identification number, not the license plate number.

5) Call you Insurance Agent and Lawyer if Necessary

Call your agent or insurance company's 800-number immediately, even at the scene with the police if possible. Sometimes the police officer can give your insurance company more accurate information rather than information you may not be recording properly because you are upset by the accident. This can save you a lot of time later waiting for your claim to be processed.

Hi this is Rony dsouza from USA.
Thanks a lot for sharing such a nice post having valuable information.

I would add that if you have physical injuries, you need to get evaluated by a medical professional. Depending on the nature and extent of the injuries that may mean going to the E.R. immediately or to your doctor later the same day or the next day. I've had quite a few clients that think they are doing themselves good by being tough and living through the pain. With many injuries that can cause additional long term problems. Even soft tissue injuries heal much better if treated early.

Great advice, it's especially important to get checked out by a doctor if you have any pain.

Good advice. However, I would argue that in many cases there is little or no point in contacting the police. This is especially the case in minor accidents where it is clear who is at fault and the third party has accepted liability. In the UK at least, the police will only usually attend the scene of the accident if there are serious injuries, if the accident is blocking traffic, etc.

Of course, if the other party is disputing liability, is aggressive, or appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it is then essential to call the police asap. In these cases it is also a good idea to take down the names and contact details of any witnesses who can back you up if there are any disputes when it comes to making a claim.

Originally Posted by utopia

Good advice. However, I would argue that in many cases there is little or no point in contacting the police. This is especially the case in minor accidents where it is clear who is at fault and the third party has accepted liability. In the UK at least, the police will only usually attend the scene of the accident if there are serious injuries, if the accident is blocking traffic, etc.

Yep... I do agree with you. For very minor accidents, drivers may decide to handle the situation themselves, without including police or insurance companies. If both can agree who was at fault, and make their own arrangements for repairs and payment, handling it this way can be easier and cheaper.

Your 3rd point is

3) Discuss the Car Accident Only with the Police

It should be discuss with Lawyer or Police only.

Driving a car carries with it many responsibilities, such as obeying traffic laws and obtaining insurance. If you are in a serious accident, you will benefit from having an attorney represent you both for your own damages and against any claims others might make against you. But what sort of things is your attorney going to be interested in knowing, and what documents might he or she be interested in reviewing? This is a checklist of items to think about before meeting your attorney after you've had a car accident.

Car Accident Advice provides the information to help you get the settlement you deserve.

It's very important to document the accident, coz something might go wrong or turn wrong when no one was able to record the accident. It's very hard to remain calm and we can't control ourselves every time we're involved in an accident. And most of accidents i've seen, they try to defend themselves by not admiting who's to blame and who's liable in the accident. And hot arguments we're aroused between them, therefore nothing can be settled. And sometimes, not even the police can resolved the situation coz either of the party is appealing it's not their fault though it's obvious it's theirs.
If you can medicate yourself, just do when no paramedic is around. Try to avoid the situation become serious.
And it's very crucial to communicate with the witness, without him the situation might got even worse and become more complex.