What Are The Steps To File A Claim Or Lawsuit After An Accident?

First, at the time of the accident, you will need to make sure that everybody is safe and out of harm’s way. Sometimes, that may require getting out of oncoming traffic or out of an intersection if you can move your vehicle safely without destroying the ability of an investigator to determine who is at fault. So, the first thing to do is to make sure that everyone is safe and out of the way.

The second step is to call the police. Have the police come to the scene to complete a written report and to make sure accurate information is exchanged. There are times when people do not call police. This is usually not a good thing to do. Simply exchanging information can have devastating results. Even with information from the other party, which is not always accurate, without a police report there is no way to determine who was responsible for the accident. Stories change and memories fade. If at all possible take photos of the vehicles and the accident scene. Most everyone has smart phones with cameras. Photos are usually helpful in resolving disputes as to liability and damages.

Next, you want to report the accident to both insurance companies. You can do this by calling your insurance company first. They will usually help get the other claim reported. Calling an insurance company without first speaking to your attorney can be dangerous. They have trained associates and your conversation will be recorded. If you have questions or concerns about setting up the claim, please call us or speak with an attorney as soon as possible

Therefore, the first thing to do is to make sure everyone is safe. The second is to call the police or law enforcement from that area. The next thing to do would be to make sure that if you are injured, you get medical treatment. If you are injured badly enough, then calling an ambulance to come to the scene is wise to do. Many times, the police will do that for you, but getting medical treatment is very important if you have been in an automobile accident and know you have been injured.