After an
auto accident, every party is responsible
for getting the names of the other driver their license number, and the
insurance information of every driver involved in the accident. This information
will be important whether or not you contact an
auto accident
attorney. Observe closely to determine if any of the drivers were
under the influence of alcohol. If you suspect alcohol might have been a factor
in the accident, seek out witnesses who can testify about signs of alcohol
intoxication in the party at fault. If you decide to make a claim in court with
the help of an
auto accident
lawyer, it will still be your word against the other driver.
If you
think you will be seeking the help of an
auto
accident lawyer then you or a friend need to collect the names and other
contact information from all passengers, pedestrians, and witnesses to the
accident. Even perpheral witnesses such as the storekeeper who saw the whole
incident from the other side of the street.
When speaking with
witnesses, it is essential to note down any remarks they make about the
incident. Take note as to whether they mention if anyone was hurt, if anyone
acknowledged causing the auto accident. For example, did anyone report hearing
someone say, “ I should have been wearing my glasses,” “ I was driving too
fast,” “ I spilled my hot coffee and it took away my attention for an instant,”
“ I should have been paying better attention,” etc. All of this information will
be very helpful if you make a decision to contact a
personal
injury attorney or should someone take action against you.
Before
leaving the scene of the vehicle crash, make sure to meticulously record the
place, date, and time of the automobile accident. This will be important
information if you go ahead and contact a
personal injury
attorney.
As soon as possible, you should write down a detailed
account of the auto accident. Specifics worth noting include a physical
description of the automobile accident itself, including the directions vehicles
were travelling in at the time of the accident, road conditions, weather
conditions such as fog, rain, snow, darkness, icy surface, etc.. The account
should include specifics about what occurred, who and what was damaged. If the
police were called to the accident scene, the description should note who
received tickets, and what action the police took, if they administered a
sobriety test to any of the drivers. It might be helpful to make a diagram to
accompany the description.
Should you decide to speak with an auto
accident attorney, make sure to bring all this material to the meeting.
Another thing you should do before departing from the scene of the
vehicular accident is to carefully note the general condition of the cars
involved in the auto accident. Any irregularities such as bald tires, a flat,
low tire, or a burned out headlight, which may have been there prior to the
accident should be noted down. All this information should be brought with you
to the office of the
personal
injury attorney at the time of the free consultation, or at least in your
possession should someone decide to take action against you.
The care
you take in preserving accurate details about the auto accident will stand you
in good stead whether you are dealing with insurance agents and or lawyers to
resolve conflicting claims about the auto accident.