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    What to do after you have had an accident

    Auto accidents are becoming more and more common. Our Maryland auto accident lawyers handle auto accident cases on a daily basis. We encourage everyone to be prepared in the event that you become involved in an auto accident. In this post we want to talk about what you should do immediately following an auto accident. Many of these items will not only help you at the scene of the accident but also later when you need to make a claim with the insurance company.

    1. Try to stay calm. Take a second to collect yourself and get your bearings.
    2. Check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately.
    3. In the event that someone appears to be injured, call the police anyway. This should be done no matter how minor the accident may be. Why? It is important that your accident be properly documented in the event that you become injured later. Some injuries may take days or even weeks to develop. If your injuries develop over time, and you try to file a claim weeks after the accident, the insurance companies will question why you do not contact the authorities immediately after the accident.
    4. Exchange information with the other driver. Be sure to obtain contact information, name, insurance information, a description of the vehicle, and their license plate number. Everything you say to the other driver or the police can be used against you. Be extremely careful in what you say because it will be used against you. We recommend not talking any more than you have to until after you have spoken to your lawyer. Insurance companies will use anything they can to minimize or deny your claim.
    5. Take pictures. If you have a camera phone or better yet a digital camera in your car - take as many pictures as possible. Photos are very valuable for any auto accident claim.
    6. Check the area for witnesses. Write down their name and contact information as well. Witnesses can be very valuable if your case goes to trial.
    7. Get the police report number or a copy of the information exchange sheet provided by the police. You may also want to write down the officer's name and badge number.
    8. Note the time of day, weather conditions, and a description of what happened in the few seconds before the accident as soon as you can after the accident. Take as many notes as you can.
    9. Speak to a Maryland auto accident lawyer and your insurance company. Your insurance company needs to know about accident as soon possible. Your lawyer will advise you on how to best handle your situation from this point forward. If the other driver’s insurance company calls you - do not speak to them. Tell them to call your lawyer.

    There are a few items you may want to keep in your vehicle to help you accurately record information. Consider keeping a disposable camera in your glove compartment to document the damage to the vehicles. Keep a small notebook and writing instrument in the glove compartment also. A first aid kit would be helpful in attending to minor injuries, and road flares will help prevent more collisions at the scene.

     

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