STOPPING YOUR CARIf your
car is involved in an accident and you don't stop, you may
be subject to criminal prosecution. Leave your car as close
as possible to the place of impact without obstructing
traffic. After stopping, remain at the scene of the accident
to aid the injured, protect the scene, report to the police
and gather information.
AIDING THE INJURED
If someone is injured, give first aid if you are
qualified and call for an ambulance. Remember to note the
location of the accident before you call for an ambulance.
Tell the ambulance dispatcher the name and number of the
street as well as the direction in which the cars were
traveling at the time of the accident.
PROTECTING THE SCENE
Protect the scene of the accident to avoid additional
collisions. Do not allow your car to obstruct the road if it
can be moved. Warn approaching cars by raising the hood of
your car and using your car's hazard warning lights. In
addition, for nighttime accidents, place flares or
reflectors on the road.
CALLING THE POLICE
Call the police, particularly if someone has been
injured. A police report of the accident will help your
insurance claim and any liability claims. Ask the officer
how to get a copy of the accident report and note the
officer's name and badge number. If you receive a traffic
ticket, it does not mean you are guilty of a traffic offense
or that you are responsible for the accident. Be aware that
you may hurt your claim for damages from the other driver if
you plead guilty. Consult your lawyer and insurance agent
before pleading guilty to any traffic offense.
TOWING YOUR CAR
Before you allow a tow truck driver to pick up your car,
be sure to ask the driver how much it will cost and tell the
driver where to take your car. Get the name, address and
telephone number of the driver and the towing company.
FILING AN ACCIDENT REPORT
In most states, you must file an accident report with the
state department of public safety or department of motor
vehicles. The report must be filed within a few days of the
accident if there were personal injuries or if the damage to
property exceeded a minimum amount, say $50. Failure to file
an accident report may result in a fine and loss of your
driver's license. You should be able to get an accident
report form from your local police or your insurance agent.
Keep a copy of the report for your records.
SEEING YOUR DOCTOR
Both you and your passengers should consider seeing a
doctor after an accident. The doctor may recognize injuries,
sometimes serious, that are not apparent to you. The charges
for a doctor visit and medical treatment may be covered by
your insurance. Don't settle claims from the accident until
your doctor has advised you about the extent of your
injuries.
NOTIFYING YOUR INSURANCE AGENT
Call your insurance agent as soon as possible after an
accident. Your insurance company may have grounds to deny
coverage if you fail to give prompt notice of the accident.
Follow up the phone call with a written notice and save a
copy for your files. The written notice should contain
information about the date, time and place of the accident,
with names and addresses of the other drivers, injured
persons, passengers, and witnesses. If you were at fault,
your liability insurance should pay for any injuries or
property damages. If the other driver is at fault but does
not have insurance, your insurance may pay for damages to
your car (collision coverage), your medical expenses
(medical payment coverage) and even for your pain and
suffering (if you have uninsured motorist coverage).
CALLING YOUR LAWYER
If you have been involved in an accident, or if you have
received a traffic ticket, your lawyer can advise you about
your rights and responsibilities. The sooner you call your
lawyer the better since witnesses may forget the details of
the accident. Your lawyer can counsel you on how to respond
to questions from insurance adjusters and help you recover
compensation for your personal injuries and damages to your
car.
CONTACT A CALIFORNIA PERSONAL
INJURY LAWYER NOW
