Things to Remember at the Scene of a Car Accident

Getting into a car, truck, or motorcycle accident is a shocking and difficult experience to live through. The most important thing is to ensure that everyone is safe, and emergency medical responders have been called if necessary. Even if you suspect that no occupants on either vehicle need an ambulance, it is important to call the police. The most important reason is that this will help obtain a police report. If you have been reading online articles provided by car accident attorneys in Salt Lake City, UT, then you know this can be substantial evidence. Apart from these immediate steps, what else should you do at the scene of a car accident? Let’s look at the answer from the perspective of a personal injury attorney.

Things to do after a car accident.

1. Make sure that you stop if your vehicle was involved in the accident. Even if you believe that your car, truck, or SUV did not sustain any damage, it is your legal obligation to stop and speak with the other driver.
2. Take photographs and videos covering everything that the accident entails. This evidence collecting includes things like photographing damage to your car, the other car, the passengers in your vehicle, the scene of the accident, and geographical land markers. This will help to establish the details of the accident and perhaps who was at fault. We live in the digital age so take as many pictures and videos as necessary.
3. Gather witnesses if there are any. Even though you may desire to do so, do not move your cars until police officers have told you it is ok to do so. Exceptions to this rule can be made if the damage is relatively small and no one is injured.
4. Never accept responsibility. Many people feel the need to be polite and apologize to the other driver. Even though your initial instinct may be to say you are sorry, it is important to have your legal representative do the talking for you. Even if you feel the accident was your fault, you don’t want something you said in passing to be taken out of context.
5. It is imperative to get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of every person involved in the crash. A summary of the automobile and license plate number can also be useful, yet see to it you likewise obtain their insurance company and the car identification number of their auto. Don’t merely think the certificate plate number will do since most insurance providers tape-record the type of cars and truck and the car identification number, not the permit plate number.

Remember to not go at it alone.

If you live in or around Salt Lake City, UT, and have been involved in a car accident, don’t handle your case alone. Contact our office at (801) 839-4411 to speak with a legal professional and schedule a consultation.