Traffic accidents

What to do if you are in a traffic accident:

Locate witnesses. The very first thing to do if possible is locate witnesses. You should always carry a pencil and paper in your car and be ready to jot down descriptions of vehicles and license plate numbers, not only of possible persons who may have caused the traffic incident, but also witnesses who are around your vehicle at the time. Witnesses are important to show your insurance company who is at fault, so your rates are not raised, and in proving any criminal or liability case.

Of course if the area or situation is not safe, it could be difficult obtaining witnesses. Or you may not be physically able to do this after the accident. If you have a pencil and paper, perhaps from inside your vehicle, you may write down license numbers of vehicles that are around you. Get a good description of vehicles behind, in front or around you, and get their license plate numbers. This could be essential for your case. Of course, you should never put yourself or your physical well being in jeopardy. If the traffic area is dangerous or you are not physically able, then there is perhaps very little that you can do. Never put your own safety in jeopardy at an accident scene.

Should you move your vehicle? You should, if your vehicle is causing a traffic hazard for others who are traveling on the roadway. There is a lot of debate over this issue. However, if your vehicle is creating a hazard to other vehicles in the roadway, then if it can, it should be moved in order to prevent further injuries. If your vehicle is not at all causing any danger to other vehicles or persons, and is completely out of the way of traffic, then you should leave your vehicle in its position to prove exactly how the traffic occurrence took place. It will assist investigating officers in understanding how the incident occurred and who was at fault.

Always see a doctor. Even if you are not certain you are injured, but you believe you may be, it is important to see a physician immediately. This could be an emergency room doctor, orthopedist, neurologist, or other M.D. If you have no way of seeing an M.D. see perhaps an Osteopath, Chiropractor or other first care type Health Clinic to document what you believe your injuries are.

Of course if you are seriously injured, you should go to the hospital immediately. If an ambulance service is offering to take you and you are injured, especially if you are seriously injured, you should go the hospital in an ambulance and let the trained people of the ambulance and emergency services take you to the hospital. Later you should follow up with a physician of the specialty in which you are injured. Always describe your pain and discomfort carefully to all physicians you ever see, including problems you are having.

Serious injuries often do not show immediate symptoms. It would be wise to have your doctor examine you as soon as possible.

Notify Authorities. Call the police immediately, even if the other party asks you not to, you should always contact the police and try and have them come to the accident scene. It is important for the police to examine and document exactly how the traffic incident occurred. The police should be able to talk to the witnesses who you have located, if any. Also, police may be able to locate witness you do not know about. The police also may prevent unfortunate disagreements between you and others at the accident scene.

You should always have the assistance of the police who are paid to protect you. Part of that protection is obtaining information about the other driver, including insurance and documenting that a traffic incident did occur, and to the best a police officer can, establish in a report how it occurred and who was at fault.

You should not engage in an argument with any other parties, but simply get to a phone as soon as possible and contact the police and describe exactly where the incident occurred. You may be able to dial 911 and they will determine which police department should come to the scene. When the police arrive, be helpful and cooperative with the police. Be ready to provide the police with a short concise, careful description of exactly how the incident occurred. Do not argue with the police, and if you have been hurt describe your injuries to the police officer.

Provide Required Information. You are required by law to provide the other driver in an accident with your name, address, and vehicle registration number, and to let the driver see your license. You are entitled to the same. Always ask to see a driver's license, and copy down the number as well as name and address. You are also required to provide the investigating officer with whatever information is needed to determine the cause of the accident. The statement you make privately to the officer alone to assist the investigation is privileged, unless the officer is investigating a crime. (If the officer is investigating a crime he will read you your rights, in which case you should first consult an attorney before speaking to the police). Otherwise the statements you make to the police about how the incident occurred may not be used against you in the civil case. If another person other than the police overhears your statement, that person may be a witness against you in the civil case, so try to make your statement to and with the police only.

Consult with an attorney as soon as possible about your case.