What to do After an Auto Accident

If you've been involved in an auto accident, you might ask, what do I do? After an auto accident, you should follow the following steps:

* Stop your vehicle, but do not block traffic.
* Turn off your car's ignition.
* Put on your Hazard lights or put out other warning signs, such as road flares, if possible.
* Assist anyone who is injured, call for an ambulance if needed.
* Call the police to report the accident. Tell the police if there are known injuries.
* When the police arrive at the scene of the auto accident, cooperate fully with the investigators.
* Do not move your automobile or any debris unless instructed to do by the officer.
* Write down the policeman's name and badge number, including the city and department the officer works for.
* If you believe the driver of the other automobile involved in the accident is under the influence or drugs or alcohol, notify the officer.
* Do not discuss the accident with anyone, with the exception of the investigating police officer, your doctors, your own insurance representatives, and your lawyer.
* Make detailed notes of the scene of the auto accident, including full names, addresses, home phone numbers, work phone numbers and license plate numbers of all parties involved. Get the names of any witnesses to the collision. Note specifics about the auto accident, such as date and time, make and model of automobiles involved in the accident.
* Make notes of statements made by the driver of the other vehicle involved in the auto accident.
* Measure skid marks made by the vehicles involved in the auto accident. Also measure other important accident details such as distance from the curb to the accident scene. Make a rough sketch of the auto accident.
* Exchange Drivers License information and insurance information with the driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident.

After Leaving the Scene of the Auto Accident

* Contact an experienced auto accident lawyer, such as a lawyer who has handled personal injury cases involving car wrecks. The Rasansky Law Firm has lawyers experienced in handling auto accident cases, and would be glad to give you free legal advice and helpful information if you have been involved in an auto accident.
* Telephone your insurance agent.
* Take photographs of the damage to your vehicle, yourself and passengers involved in the auto accident.
* See your doctor if there is a chance you were injured in the auto accident. A serious personal injury caused by an auto accident doesn't always cause immediate pain.
* Most importantly after an auto accident, keep calm, don't argue, don't accuse anyone and do not admit fault. After an auto accident, you are most likely shook up and are not the best judge of who was at fault.