Car Accident in the United States

Due to the high number of accidents, motor vehicle accidents compromise the most significant proportion of personal injury cases.

What to Do After a Car Accident (in General)

(In United States law, in the context of Car Accident) The moments after a car accident are frightening. Use this checklist to help guide their actions after the accident:

Check on All Occupants

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Check if any of the occupants of their vehicle and the other vehicle need immediate medical attention.

Report the Accident

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Most jurisdictions require that the affected people make a report of car accidents involving injuries or property damage over a certain amount.

Talk to the Other Driver

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Exchange information with the other driver. Get his or her name, address, driver’s license number and license plate number.

Take Pictures

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Take pictures of the scene of the accident.

Check for Witnesses

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Evaluate the scene and determine if there are any witnesses. Ask for the witness’ contact information and for them to stay at the scene to provide a statement for the accident report.

Write a Description

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. While the events are fresh in their mind, write a description of how the accident occurred. Note the date, time and location of the accident.

Seek Medical Treatment

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Many injuries are not evident immediately after a traumatizing event. Seek medical treatment after an injury just to make sure that the affected people are fine.

When the affected people Are at Fault (in General)

(In United States law, in the context of Car Accident) If the affected people believe that the affected people might be at fault for the accident, the affected people will still follow the steps mentioned in the previous section.

Things to Do

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia.

Do Contact their Insurance Provider

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Report the accident to their insurance company so that it is aware that a claim will be coming through on the policy.

Do Review their Policy

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Read over their policy so that the affected people understand the claims process, as well as their rights and duties under the claim.

Do File a Claim

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. File their own claim regarding their property damage and injuries. This will help provide the notice that the insurance company needs to begin processing the claim.

Do Contact an Attorney

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. If the affected people have an attorney, the affected people may want to contact him or her to better understand their rights. If the affected people are sued, the insurance company will typically appoint an attorney on their behalf.

To Avoid

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia.

Don’t Admit Fault

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Even if the affected people believe that the accident was at least partially their fault, do not admit fault to the driver of the other vehicle, the police, their own passengers or anyone else.

DUI Accidents (in General)

(In United States law, in the context of Car Accident) Sometimes alcohol is a contributing factor in an accident. If the affected people are the victim of an accident involving alcohol, be certain that the affected people mention this suspicion to the police and to their personal injury lawyer.

Defending Against DUI Charges

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. If an individual is involved in an accident and alcohol contributed to the accident, he or she may face criminal DUI charges.

Contact a Lawyer

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Contact an attorney as early in the process as possible. He or she can help explain their rights and can also handle communication between the affected people and the insurance company.