10 Rules To Follow After An Auto Accident

Protect Your Health and Your Legal Rights ~

If you’re involved in any kind of vehicular accident, there are certain rules you should follow. Some of these rules are required by law, others are there to protect your rights. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in an auto accident, a bicycle accident, a motorcycle accident, or are hit by any one of them while walking down the sidewalk as a pedestrian. These rules apply in all situations. While you should always consult with a personal injury attorney for legal advice immediately following any accident, you also need to know, in advance, what to do in case of an emergency.

Remain as calm as possible. Being involved in an accident is almost always an emotional experience. You may be afraid of potential consequences. You may also be in pain. However, staying as calm as you can is in your best interest. You will be less likely to say or do something that could be detrimental should legal proceedings result.

First, if anyone was injured in the accident, call 911. “Anyone” means yourself and passengers in your vehicle as well as other drivers, and passengers in other vehicles. Emergency personnel should be contacted even if the injuries seem minor. Second, call the police so the facts of the accident can be documented. In most instances, a single call to 911 will likely dispatch both the police and paramedics.  (Note: In certain instances, the police may refuse to come or prepare a report.)

Even if you believe the accident was entirely your fault, do not make any statements to that effect. Doing so can have serious legal consequences, and might even affect your insurance coverage. You are not obligated to provide this information before obtaining legal advice.

If there are witnesses to the accident, get their names and their contact information. They may very well become important should you end up in court. Eyewitnesses can also have some bearing on the conclusions in a police report or whether the police issue citations.

You will need the license plate numbers and driver’s license numbers of the other drivers who were involved. Make sure you get this information as soon as you can, and before anyone leaves the scene.

If you sustain any injuries, inform the police and paramedics immediately.  If you are taken to a hospital, make sure the emergency room personnel document your injuries. Documentation is important if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.

Taking pictures of the accident scene and the vehicles involved can also be helpful. If you have a camera, make a point of documenting the scene in photographs. Your cell phone camera, if you have one, is more than adequate for this purpose.

Do not put yourself at risk by leaving an accident scene before police arrive, or before exchanging information with the other drivers. And keep in mind that a bicycle accident, auto accident, and motorcycle accident are all equally serious, whether it appears that anyone was injured or not.

Contact your insurance company. While you are obligated to report all accidents to your insurance company, you should not make any statement without first getting legal advice.

Contact a personal injury attorney. As soon after the accident as possible, and after you’ve been taken care of by medical personnel, seek the advice of a personal injury attorney. The extent of your harms and losses may not be immediately apparent, and your rights need to be protected

For more information:

If you’re accident occurred in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Simi Valley, or the Greater Los Angeles area, contact Robert J. Mandell at The Mandell Law Firm. His office number in Northridge is (818) 886-6600. The Mandell Law Firm specializes in personal injury litigation and mediation, and will see to it that your rights and options under the law are preserved.