Do’s and Don’ts After an Accident

If you are ever involved in a traffic accident, there are some important do’s and don’ts you should always keep in the back of your mind, even if you do not believe you’ve been injured in the collision.

One of the most crucial things to remember, regardless of injury, is that admitting fault for the accident is ill-advised. Anything you say can be used against you, and this is just as applicable with another driver in an accident as with the police. If any evidence of your admission is preserved, it will certainly be used to help the opposing side later on.

Do:

• Check yourself, any passengers, and others involved in the accident for serious injuries and whether emergency medical treatment is necessary. Also check for signs of immediate danger, including leaking gas/fluid, potential fires, and whether a vehicle should be moved out of the road.
• Fill out a police report at the scene. If the police do not come to the scene, fill out a report at the nearest police station, as it will be essential for an injury claim.
• Take photographs of the vehicles involved before they are moved, as well as any obvious injuries and the accident-scene in general. It is also helpful to document any license plate numbers and contact information of drivers, passengers, and any witnesses. While it is entirely legal to take photographs for evidence, be sure you are doing so from a safe distance and without impeding traffic.
• Take note of any details which may help you remember the circumstances of the accident later, including the time of day, weather, which lane you were in, and so on.
• Obtain all insurance- and contact-related information from the other driver, including an e-mail and phone number.
• Contact your insurance company to report the matter, even if the other driver was clearly at-fault. Failure to report the accident may result in your carrier’s refusal to cover it.
• Accept medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you feel unharmed. You have nothing to gain by “toughing it out” and forgoing medical treatment, and doing so can be detrimental to a possible injury claim, especially if you do turn out to be injured in the days following the accident.
• Contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Don’t:

• Don’t admit fault, even if you believe it to be true. Just stick to the facts and remain objective, and avoid saying anything incriminating until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
• To avoid a scam, don’t let your vehicle be towed by someone who was not called by you, the police, or your insurance company. Some tow trucks take these opportunities to swoop in on accident-victims and take their vehicles, only to charge them outrageous “storage fees” to get them back later. Keep an eye out for anyone claiming to be responsible for towing, and don’t hesitate to confirm their identity or who specifically requested their service.
• Don’t proclaim to anyone at the scene that you are not hurt, even if you genuinely do not believe you are. Avoid saying anything of this nature until you’ve received medical attention.

Finally, having these items in your car can make all the difference in an emergency:

• Your insurance card
• A disposable camera (if you do not own a camera-phone)
• A pen and paper
• Hazard cones or flares
• A first-aid kit
• Warm clothing, especially in the fall and winter months

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.