Automobile accidents are just the absolute worst. You would never wish them on your worst enemy, no matter how benign it may be.
A Monday morning, a Friday afternoon, a Sunday evening. It doesn’t matter when they take place. All we know is that car accidents not only wreak havoc on your finances and your insurance, it also creates unwanted stress at the scene and headaches down the line when you need to go through the bureaucratic mess, visits with the mechanic, and everything else associated with this nightmare.
In addition to getting into a fender bender, there are many legal aspects that you need to be aware of to ensure that you don’t get into any boiling, toxic water. Whether it’s admitting fault or trying to handle the traffic going by your vehicle, there are plenty of aspects to know, including legal nuances that only a car accident lawyer would know.
One more thing: following these protocols will make sure you’re not taken for a ride.
Here are five legal tips when you’re involved in a car accident:
1. Stop Your Vehicle – Move to the Side
Immediately after any car accident, even if it is a minuscule incident, you need to stop your vehicle and converse with the other motorist. Moreover, once you have spoken with the individual, you both need to move your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent traffic.
2. Injured? Call the Police Right Away
Car accidents can produce serious injuries that can leave lingering pain for many years.
Injured by the accident? Contact the police almost immediately so that an ambulance can arrive to the scene of the accident and you can be treated by medically-trained staff. This is essential should the case go to trial and you seek a financial settlement.
3. Take Photos & Record Video of the Accident
Most of us have smartphones that maintain high-quality cameras that allow you snap excellent photos and pristine video. You need to take full advantage of this – no, selfies don’t count.
As you get out of your sedan, sports car, SUV, or minivan, you need to take photos and video of your car, the damage, the scene, and the overall accident. This will help your case and corroborate any of the statements you submit to the proper authorities.
Just be sure you save the data, and then back it up!
4. Exchange Pertinent Information with Driver
One of the most important steps to take is to exchange important personal information with the other driver. This includes name, address, telephone number, insurance provider, and anything else that you may deem critical.
If there are any witnesses that may be crucial for a case, then you need to write down their personal information, too.
5. Don’t Sign or Agree to Any Settlement
At the scene of the accident, it may be appetizing to end it right away through a monetary settlement, especially if the other person is at fault. No insurance, no lawyers, no cases.
But this should be completely ignored. In fact, you must not sign or agree to anything, including a settlement, in the aftermath of an accident.
The basics are what need to be completed first. All the settlements, legal discussions, and negotiations need to be performed afterwards.
Besides, you may get yourself into trouble, whether you concede guilt or agree to settle this between yourselves.
Imagine this scenario: it is 5:30 p.m. on a Friday, it is hot, you are hungry, and you have an important engagement that evening. You get into an accident. This can be frustrating and cause you to get a few extra gray hairs. Unfortunately, it is just a part of life, and you need to be prepared in the event of a car accident, and this includes heeding the measures recommended.