If you get in a car accident, the first thing you do is to call 911 for police and medical help. Once everyone is out of danger, gather and write down as much information about the accident as you can:
- Gather the names, driver’s license numbers, contact information and insurance information for all drivers
- Take a note if any of the drivers appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the effects you observed (such as slurred speech) and any witnesses to those effects. Witnesses are important because after any substances wear off, it will be your word against the driver’s.
- Found out the names and contact information for all passengers, pedestrians, and witnesses, for example, the storekeeper who saw the whole accident from across the street
- Write down any statements you hear about the accident. For example: “I’m not hurt,” “I wasn’t looking,” “I was distracted,” “I wasn’t wearing my glasses,” “I spilled my coffee,” etc
- Note location, date, and time of the accident
- A detailed description of the accident. Direction the vehicles were going, weather conditions, types of injuries and damages, sobriety tests, citations, etc. Draw a diagram to help clarify what happened.
- Contact information for police at the scene
Gather as much information for the claims investigation as possible. As time passes, memories tend to fade. Later, you’ll be glad you wrote down the details at the scene.
Please contact KURZMAN LAW GROUP for a free consultation at 954-466-3220 or (561) 404-4411.