PRACTICE GROUPS
A car accident can be terrifying, and the consequences may affect you and your loved ones for the rest of your lives. Both at the time of the crash and later on, there are some basic actions that Casey Gerry’s auto accident attorneys in San Diego recommend as first aid to protect you and your rights:
At the time of the crash
Protect yourself
- After a crash you may be in a state of shock, It is important that your remain calm and check for injuries. You may have been hurt and not have noticed during the accident itself, and if you try to move quickly you may injure yourself more.
- Move your car out of traffic and to a shoulder if at all possible. Major accidents with severe damage and injury might prohibit that, but do what you can.
- If at all possible, try to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. If you can safely, do so, but don’t risk exposing yourself to further injury or causing another accident by moving into a dangerous situation.
- Turn on your hazard lights, or light signal flares or put out warning cones if it will help increase visibility and reduce the potential for further accidents.
- Notify law enforcement immediately. Call for an ambulance if there are serious injuries
Gather information at the scene
- Get the other driver’s information from their driver’s license, name, address, drivers' license number. The get write down their license plate number and at least one phone number. Then gather the necessary insurance information including, name, carrier, policy number and a contact number or website.
- Also get the registration information for the other vehicle(s) involved. Just because someone was driving the car in question doesn’t mean it was registered to them.
- Count the number of people involved, and get their contact information. Passengers can be important witnesses who can give statements and insight into the causes and reasons for the crash.
- If practical, document everything with a camera. Make sure you photograph damage to your vehicles, the location and state of the roadway, or any conditions that led to the accident. Avoid taking pictures of the other driver, as car accidents are emotionally charged situations and you don’t want to antagonize an already upset person. Be polite and courteous at all times.
- Don’t leave the area until the police say you can. If you do, you could open yourself up to charges of leaving the scene of an accident, a serious crime.
- Never sign any document except ones provided by the police or your insurance company. Everything else is potentially suspect and could be used against you or cause you to waive your rights to any financial compensation for you situation.
- MOST IMPORTANT: Never, under any circumstances whatsoever, admit to any wrongdoing or any fault. Stick to the facts, and never volunteer any information to anyone, and never lie or act dishonest in any way. Avoid talking to the other driver other than to exchange basic information.
After the accident
- Be sure to notify your insurance carrier of the collision and to cooperate fully with your own insurance company.
- Be aware of statutes of limitation in California. These laws limit the time by when one must file a claim or a lawsuit. It is important to know which statutes apply to your particular circumstance.
- Contact a knowledgeable auto accident attorney very soon after the crash in order to make sure that your rights are not forfeited, and that you can pursue your civil remedies.