Not every traffic accident is avoidable. When they happen, it’s important to look out for certain things. If the accident you were involved in was caused by another driver’s negligence then you could be eligible for compensation. However, if you do not pay attention to (and do) some very important things, then there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to make a claim.
This post will explore six of the most important things that you need to pay attention to after you have been involved in a traffic accident.
The Guilty Driver
The most important thing to pay attention to after a traffic accident is the guilty driver’s registration plate. It’s sadly very common for reckless drivers to give the victims of their negligence false information. If you do not have the guilty driver’s personal information then you will not be able to make a claim. No matter if you’re involved in a car accident in Las Vegas, New York, or even Paris, as long as you have the guilty driver’s license plate number then you’ll be able to track them down. In addition to taking their license plate number, you also need to make sure that you get their insurance information. If you are seriously injured, then call the police. The police will get the guilty driver’s information for you and will then send it to you once you’re out of the hospital.
Any Injuries
Naturally, you need to pay attention to injuries. If you are seriously injured then the first thing you need to do is to reach out to the ambulance services. If you are unable to call for help yourself then ask somebody else to do it for you. It’s a good idea to always have your phone attached to your dashboard using a phone holder so that you can then call paramedics. Ensure your phone has voice activation turned on, so you can call the police without having to physically touch your device. If anybody else has injuries and you are okay, call the paramedics and follow their instructions.
Your Fault
If you think you were at fault, do not admit it at the scene of the crash. The only time you should knowingly admit fault is if you have been caught red-handed, i.e., on CCTV. Admitting fault will give other drivers involved in the taffic accident the opportunity to take legal action against you. It is especially important not to admit fault if the police are present, because they will write this down in their report. The reason you shouldn’t admit fault is that even if you think you were responsible, it could turn out that you were not.
Taking Evidence
If you can, then acquire as much evidence as you can at the scene of the accident. The best kind of evidence you can provide is photographic. Video evidence is also very useful. If possible, try and get another driver on the scene to admit fault. If you can do this, then video them. If you get a video admission of guilt then it will support your case when it goes to court (or with the other driver’s insurance company). Again, never admit fault yourself. An admission of guilt can and most likely will be used against you later on.
Witnesses
At the scene of a traffic accident try to get contact information for any witnesses. Getting contact information for witnesses will then make your lawyer’s life a lot easier. When you do get in touch with a personal injury lawyer, having the contact information for witnesses will be very useful. They’ll be able to reach out to them and get their statement. If witness statements support yours, then your case will be easily provable. All of this information will then be handed over to the guilty driver’s insurance company to compel them to give you compensation.
CCTV Cameras
Finally, try and spot any nearby CCTV cameras. When you do get in touch with a personal injury lawyer the first thing they’ll ask you is if you have any evidence supporting your claim. If you know the locations of CCTV cameras that would have caught the accident on film, then you can pass this information along to your lawyer. Your lawyer’s investigator will then be able to go out and get the video footage. This footage can then be used in support of your case. Dashcam footage from your car will also come in very handy.
Car accidents happen on a daily basis. If you have been unfortunate enough to have been involved in one then you need to take legal action. Get in touch with a personal injury lawyer today and get your claim started.