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Several forms of information should be exchanged after a car accident, including insurance and contact information of the drivers involved.
After making sure everyone involved in the crash is safe and receives medical attention as necessary, you should exchange insurance information and other contact details with the other driver, including:
- Full name
- Contact information
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Make, model, and color of the vehicle
A car accident can be highly disorienting, upsetting, and devastating to all parties involved, but taking these few steps to gather information can be crucial for your case. A lawyer can help you gather additional evidence if you want to seek compensation.
What Other Information Should I Collect After a Car Accident?
Beyond exchanging details with the other driver, several other forms of information are important to collect if you want to seek compensation for your damages. For instance, jot down incident details like the location of the crash. You may also want to make note of anything you remember about how the accident occurred.
When the police arrive, you should get their names and badge numbers. Once the report is available, get a copy of the police report. Sometimes the insurance company requires a copy of the police report in addition to your claim.
You should also get the names and contact information of all passengers involved in the accident, even those only circumstantially involved. If there were witnesses, you would benefit from recording their information as well. This information will help your lawyer or the insurance company investigate the accident and ensure you seek the payout you may be due.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Gathering information is one important step after a crash. However, immediately after a car accident, there are several other steps you should follow:
- Seek medical help. Immediately following a car accident, you must first attend to any injuries. If you are too injured to move, stay still and call 911. Wait until help comes and seek medical attention. If you are not seriously injured, check on any passengers in your car.
- Move the car to a safe place. If your vehicle is drivable, move it to the side of the road or another safe space. If the car will not move, get out and move yourself to safety.
- Call the police. Once both cars are safe, call the police and report the accident. It does not matter if the accident is a fender bender or a major collision. Calling the police is required in some states, and the police report can help make the insurance claim process easier. If you end up hiring an attorney for your car accident case, the police report can be beneficial to the lawyer.
- Avoid admitting fault. While waiting for the police, do not say anything that might indicate who is at fault, including any apology. Though it may sound harsh to withhold an apology, it could be used against you later during an insurance claim or lawsuit.
- Take photos. Once help arrives, work on exchanging information and documenting the accident. Take pictures of the accident and damage to all vehicles involved, preferably from several angles. Once you have finished documentation, you are ready to file a claim.
After exchanging all relevant information, you may need to call a tow truck, visit a doctor, or visit an auto body repair shop. No matter what your next steps may be, collect all receipts or other reports to include in your insurance claim.
Who Is Liable for My Injuries & Am I Eligible for Compensation?
In many states, such as in Georgia and South Carolina, the driver who caused the accident is responsible for any injuries and damages caused. However, the process may become complicated if the person driving the vehicle at fault is not the owner of the vehicle they were driving.
After reviewing all the information you have collected, the insurance company or your lawyer can help you figure out who is responsible. Your lawyers will determine compensation eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Many injury lawyers offer free consultations, and an attorney’s team can tell you if you are eligible for compensation when you call the firm.
If you qualify to bring a case, you could make a financial recovery for the following accident-related losses:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost work wages
- Emotional injuries
George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident
The attorneys at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers are ready to help after a car accident. Our team has a long history of helping car accident victims seek compensation. In addition, all potential clients can receive a free consultation to help determine their case’s viability.
Gathering the right kind of information will make your insurance claim process much easier for you, the police, the insurance companies, and your attorneys. You can pass on any evidence you gathered to the legal team at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers. We can handle all the legal details of your case. Call us today to learn more: (843) 779-1777.