Asatryan Law
Call
818-208-0000
For A Free Consultation
Asatryan Law
Call
818-208-0000
For A Free Consultation
Representing the injured in California and Nevada

WHAT DO I DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT? FIRST STEPS AND TIPS

The scene of a car accident can be confusing, loud, and hectic to say the least. Everything from other cars honking at you to the other driver yelling at you can make this a miserable situation. Not to mention that if you are injured in the accident, everything becomes significantly more difficult and frustrating. In such a heated and tense situation, people often do or say the wrong thing or forget to do something that is important for their case.

It is important to stay as calm as possible at the scene of an accident in order to not inadvertently do the wrong thing and in order to remember to follow some important first steps that are crucial to your case. After following the steps below, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to put your personal injury case on the right track. When you are injured in a car accident, contacting the Law Offices of Mher Asatryan will ensure that you get all of the help you need in your difficult time and that you have a knowledgeable and dedicated team working on your side to make sure your injury case proceeds smoothly and successfully.

Steps and tips to keep in mind at the scene of a car accident:

  • Do not leave. Never leave the scene of a car accident until: (1) you have exchanged all information with the other party or parties; (2) you have taken pictures of the scene of the accident and all involved vehicles; (3) the police have been contacted and have either taken a report or informed you that they will not be taking a report; and (4) an ambulance has been called for all seriously injured individuals.
  • Call an Ambulance. An ambulance should be called for anyone who is seriously injured as a result of the accident.
  • Contact the Police. The police should be contacted if there are any significant injuries or property damage. A police report or Traffic Collision Report, as it is called, is crucial to your case because it often documents who the at-fault party was in the accident. This way, it will be difficult for the at-fault party to change their statement or version of the events later on. Unfortunately, often times, the police either will not come to the scene or will not take a police report even if they come. In these instances, it is crucial to gather as much information as possible from all parties and witnesses.
  • Take Pictures. It is always important to take pictures of the scene of an accident. Preferably, you want to take pictures of the cars as they sit immediately following the accident. It is also important to take pictures of the surrounding environment, especially if there was construction, temporary road signs, traffic light failures, or other unique circumstances which may have contributed to the accident.
  • Exchange Information. If the police do not take a Traffic Collision Report, it is crucial to exchange information with all other parties. This includes obtaining the other party's driver license, vehicle, registration, contact, and insurance information. If the other party's insurance card is expired, ask for a current insurance card or other proof of valid insurance.
  • Talk to Witnesses. If there are any witnesses to the accident, it is crucial to obtain their contact information. An independent witness may be the key to proving who was at fault in the accident.
  • Do Not Admit Fault. In the confusion and chaos that surrounds a car accident, your statements may be misconstrued as an admission of fault or liability. Even a reflex sympathetic statement such as "I'm sorry" can be taken as an admission of fault. For that reason, it is best to keep talking to a minimum, especially with the other party or parties. Also, you should only give statements to the police.
  • Seek Medical Treatment Immediately. If you are injured, you must seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Under the law, waiting too long to seek medical treatment may significantly hurt the merits of your case.
  • Contact us. If you are injured in a car accident, contact the Law Offices of Mher Asatryan as soon as possible. The sooner our office starts working on your case, the sooner your mind will be at ease in knowing that your case is on the right track.

Steps and tips to keep in mind at the scene of a car accident:

  • Do not leave. Never leave the scene of a car accident until: (1) you have exchanged all information with the other party or parties; (2) you have taken pictures of the scene of the accident and all involved vehicles; (3) the police have been contacted and have either taken a report or informed you that they will not be taking a report; and (4) an ambulance has been called for all seriously injured individuals.
  • Call an Ambulance. An ambulance should be called for anyone who is seriously injured as a result of the accident.
  • Contact the Police. The police should be contacted if there are any significant injuries or property damage. A police report or Traffic Collision Report, as it is called, is crucial to your case because it often documents who the at-fault party was in the accident. This way, it will be difficult for the at-fault party to change their statement or version of the events later on. Unfortunately, often times, the police either will not come to the scene or will not take a police report even if they come. In these instances, it is crucial to gather as much information as possible from all parties and witnesses.
  • Take Pictures. It is always important to take pictures of the scene of an accident. Preferably, you want to take pictures of the cars as they sit immediately following the accident. It is also important to take pictures of the surrounding environment, especially if there was construction, temporary road signs, traffic light failures, or other unique circumstances which may have contributed to the accident.
  • Exchange Information. If the police do not take a Traffic Collision Report, it is crucial to exchange information with all other parties. This includes obtaining the other party's driver license, vehicle, registration, contact, and insurance information. If the other party's insurance card is expired, ask for a current insurance card or other proof of valid insurance.
  • Talk to Witnesses. If there are any witnesses to the accident, it is crucial to obtain their contact information. An independent witness may be the key to proving who was at fault in the accident.
  • Do Not Admit Fault. In the confusion and chaos that surrounds a car accident, your statements may be misconstrued as an admission of fault or liability. Even a reflex sympathetic statement such as "I'm sorry" can be taken as an admission of fault. For that reason, it is best to keep talking to a minimum, especially with the other party or parties. Also, you should only give statements to the police.
  • Seek Medical Treatment Immediately. If you are injured, you must seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Under the law, waiting too long to seek medical treatment may significantly hurt the merits of your case.
  • Contact us. If you are injured in a car accident, contact the Law Offices of Mher Asatryan as soon as possible. The sooner our office starts working on your case, the sooner your mind will be at ease in knowing that your case is on the right track.

Comments Loading...

Leave a comment
Comment Information
Email Us For A Response

How Can We Help?

Contact the Firm

Bold labels are required.

Contact Information
disclaimer.

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

close

Privacy Policy