My general advice below is based on 25+ years experience handling car wrecks. Please follow the steps below if you’re in a car wreck:
1. The safest place to be is in your vehicle. Stay there if you can, at least until police arrive.
2. Your health comes first. If you’re not feeling well, request an ambulance.
3. Call 911 and report the wreck.
Typically witnesses will call 911 but ask anyone who comes to your vehicle if this has been done.
4. Call someone to come to the wreck scene to help you.
This person can serve as a scene witness, take photos, get the name/phone# of witnesses, and drive you home or to the ER.
5. Do not discuss how the wreck occurred with anyone, except the police officer (and keep this brief).
Anything you tell anyone at the wreck is admissible in court. Also keep your cool in a bad situation. Do not let emotions lead you to say something to the other driver that you’ll regret later… And remember everything at the scene may be being recorded on a cell phone or security camera.
6. Take photos of the car damage AND the vehicle positions.
If you’re injured, ask someone take these photos.
7. Get the name/email/phone# of witnesses.
8. DO listen to the other driver, especially if he/she admits fault causing the wreck.
This admission can be used to establish fault.
9. Police will give you a short form with the other driver’s identity and car insurance information.
Make sure you get this completed form from the officer.
10. Do not give a recorded statement to ANY insurance company, including your own.
Report the claim to your car insurance company AFTER you speak with your lawyer. Call Jim if you need help reporting your claim.
11. It’s common to feel worse or sore the day after a wreck. If so and once you return home, call your family doctor as soon as possible.
If you delay treatment or wait weeks to see your doctor you can bet the car insurance company will claim you were not injured in the wreck. If you don’t have health insurance or have questions about your injuries, call Jim.
12. If someone calls after the wreck claiming to be an attorney or investigator, do not give them information.
Politely ask for his/her name/phone number (to eventually report this information to the Alabama State Bar). If they won’t give this information you’ll immediately know this is an illegal call. Call Jim, and let me get your accident report online to start the investigation.
Not sure what to do next, call car accident attorney Jim Bodin today to discuss your claim and put a hard-working trial lawyer to work on your claim.
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