The safety of those involved in an accident is, of course, a main priority. The first step in ensuring safety is to call 911. While emergency medical personnel are en route take a few minutes to assess any personal injuries sustained by yourself and others. Try to remember all injuries immediately following the accident and make a written note or a mental note of such injuries so you can later use that information to inform medical personnel, your attorney or law firm, and the insurance company of the other party.
As you may know, life moves a little faster in the Los Angeles area. In addition, time will move much faster after a car accident and when you are exchanging information with another party or giving an accident report. You should remember to gather as much information as possible before the proper Los Angeles law enforcement authorities or the California Highway Patrol arrives on scene. This information includes the license plate of the vehicles involved in the accident and any other helpful information to identification, such as names, home addresses and driver’s license numbers. If you are unable to get this information from the other driver, then simply wait for the proper Los Angeles law enforcement authorities or the California Highway Patrol.
Remember to note the approximate time of the accident, the cross-streets or approximate location of the accident, and the number of persons involved in the accident. Getting this information early will help the accident report process go more smoothly and quicker as well as ensure that you relay accurate and complete information in the accident report.
You will feel pressured or obligated to move your vehicle off the road or to just quickly exchange information so the accident will not create time delays for everyone else. However, the care of yourself and any passengers is what is most important, and this includes ensuring that personal injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering are properly compensated. The best approach is to simply wait for the proper Los Angeles law enforcement authorities and emergency medical services to arrive. Following this tip will help your attorney advocate for you and aggressively negotiate with the other drivers’ insurance company for suitable cash compensation.
When the medical responders arrive you want to make sure you give a complete and accurate report. Relaying the proper information will eliminate future problems for you or your attorney in getting compensation for your personal injuries, property damage, and any pain and suffering damages. Before talking to the medical personnel take thirty seconds to recall the facts of the accident and all injuries to you and any passengers, including the point of impact, the approximate speed at the time of the accident, the way your injuries were created, and any pain that you initially felt or have started to feel.
When talking to police officers remember that they often take quick notes that they will later use in making a report, sometimes hours later. You want to make sure this report contains adequate, basic information about the car accident that will be useful to you, your attorney, and the insurance companies. Take thirty seconds to recall and remember how the accident occurred, including the time of the accident, the direction you were headed, the approximate speed at the time of impact, the cause of the accident, and if the other party admitted fault.