What to Do If You Have Been Involved in a Car Accident
Everyday, many commuters find themselves involved in a car accident. Whether it is a fender-bender or a serious collision, it is important to know what steps to take in the event that you find yourself involved in a car accident. If you find yourself in an auto accident, you should be prepared on how to act in a responsible way. You should also be prepared on how to act in a way that is in accordance to the State’s law. For purposes of this article, it is important that you also know how to protect yourself in the event that a serious injury or death has occurred in the aftermath of the car accident.
Important Factors
To begin, it is crucial that as a responsible motorist, you never leave the scene where the incident took place. By leaving the scene of the accident, you place yourself in a very compromising situation. You will find yourself susceptible to having your driving privileges revoked or run the risk of having your license suspended for a limited amount of time. In worse cases, you could face criminal charges for fleeing the scene, commonly referred to as a “hit and run”.
If you have been involved in an accident, call the local authorities by dialing 9-1-1. Be sure to report all possible injuries and if needed, request emergency medical services. In the event that the incident did not result in injuries, you can inform the 9-1-1 operator, however, it is always safe to have them arrive just to be sure everyone is safe.
In the Event of an Injury
If you have been injured in the transgression of an auto accident, you should attempt to stay calm as best as possible. If possible, call the local medical emergency services by dialing 9-1-1. If the pain is extreme, do not attempt to move as you may have internal injuries.
If you or anyone else has suffered injuries, it is important to choose an experienced personal injury attorney, like the attorneys at Knez Law Group. One of our attorneys will speak to the other parties involved on your behalf, as well as be in contact with the insurance adjusters of the other involved party or parties. Further, an experienced attorney can help you gather documents and evidence that can help to support your version of the events.
Gather Important Information
It is easy to plan for traumatic events, however, being involved in an actual accident can be completely different than what you have expected. Whether or not you have been involved in an accident, you should consider making a list of important items to remember for future reference. Keep this list on your phone or in your car.
When involved in a collision, most incidents will involve parties who will claim different versions of the event. If it is possible, attempt to gather the following information to provide evidence about your version of events.
- The contact information of the other involved parties
- The contact information of witnesses
- Take detailed pictures of all involved vehicles
- Take pictures of the road conditions
- Take pictures of roadway signs such as stop signs and/or streetlights
The attorneys at the Knez Law Group are experienced in the area of car accidents resulting in personal injury. They are a dedicated team of attorneys who have successfully represented many clients who have been involved in an automobile collision. Before you do anything, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to review your case and options to recover compensation.
Matthew J. Knez graduated from the University of Redlands in California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. He then pursued his law degree at the University of La Verne College of Law in Ontario, California, where he earned various awards, including the CALI Award in Torts, and was on the Dean’s List. During his time in law school, Mr. Knez was a member of the Justice and Immigration Clinic, working with individuals seeking asylum in the United States from countries where they faced persecution or threats of persecution. Additionally, he was an Associate Editor for the Law Review and published an article on California family custody move-away cases. Learn more here.