Getting injured in a car accident can be a life-altering experience. You may have to deal with multiple injuries, doctor’s appointments, and even surgery. You may miss time from work and you may experience psychological effects. That is why it is important to learn what to do at the scene of an accident.
When you are in an accident, you should pull over to the side of the road and find out if anyone is injured. You are legally required to call the police and wait for them to arrive if there are any injuries or damage to the vehicles.
When the police arrive, you should be polite to them, but it is never a good idea to admit fault. There may be circumstances of which you are unaware that contributed to the accident. For example, if you t-bone a car that you did not see coming, there may have been cars parked at the crosswalk that obstructed your vision. It is not uncommon to go into shock after an accident and you may not be thinking clearly.
Witnesses are very important when you are making an insurance claim. You will want to talk to anyone who might have seen the accident to find out what they saw. Ask each person for their contact information. If someone is not comfortable giving you their information, simply give them your number.
Be sure to take pictures of both the cars involved in the accident and any skid marks the crash might have left. Take pictures of any obstacles that may have contributed to the crash.
Illinois is a tort state when it comes to automobile insurance. This means that the person who caused the accident is responsible for paying its associated bills. It is also a comparative fault state, which means that an accident victim may file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company if the victim was less than 50% responsible for the accident.
Remember to get the other driver’s name, phone number, and insurance information. And ask the law enforcement officer for a copy of the accident report. When you receive the report, make sure that all of the information is accurate.
If your accident is serious enough to require an ambulance and the paramedics tell you that you need to go to the hospital, you must go. You should go to your doctor’s office after an accident even if you feel just fine. According to car accident lawyers Agruss, there are some injuries that are not immediately apparent. A doctor will be able to perform examinations to see if you have sustained injuries that you may not be able to feel yet.
Remember to call your insurance company as soon as possible. You should provide them with every doctor bill that you have and documentation from your employer stating the number of hours you have missed and the amount of money you have lost. The sooner you send in your documentation, the sooner you will get a settlement offer. It is always best to talk to an attorney before you accept any settlement.
Following the law and collecting evidence is the key to getting the money you deserve to move on with your life.
