Being involved in an auto accident is often a disorienting, stressful event, especially when you are not at fault. Fear and anxiety are natural under such circumstances, but it helps to stay as calm as possible.
If you are involved in an auto accident in the Woodland Hills, the following are a list of “dos and don’ts” to consider in the moments and hours following the accident.
Do
1. Seek immediate medical attention for yourself and anyone else who may have suffered an injury. Do not move an injured victim until medics arrive unless they are in continued risk of danger in their present position.
1. Call police or proper authorities and obtain a copy of the police report. The police report may contain evidence or witness statements which are important to your case and which your personal injury attorney can use when helping you recover compensation for your injuries. It is important that you verify that all statements in the report are accurate.
3. Contact a personal injury attorney. A qualified auto accident attorney in Woodland Hills can best advise you as to how to protect your interests and obtain the financial recovery you deserve.
4. Try to preserve the accident scene as it is until police if it is safe to do so. It is easier to collect evidence when an accident site can be examined without tampering.
5. Obtain the contact information of all other parties and witnesses. Be sure to obtain addresses, phone numbers, drivers’ licenses, email addresses, license plates and/or any other information which would allow you or your attorney to contact them.
6. Take videos, pictures, recordings and/or notes of the accident scene. Whenever possible, it is important to note the state of any vehicles after the crash, the extent of all injuries, the presence of any stop signs, traffic lights or intersections, visibility issues (such as night, rain or fog) and all other relevant factors that may have contributed to the accident.
7. In California, it legally required that you report an accident to the DMV within 10 days if there is more than $750 in damage to the property of any person, or anyone is injured (no matter how slightly) or killed. Learn more about how to do so here.
Do NOT:
• Delay seeking medical attention.
• Admit fault for the accident, even if you suspect that you may have contributed to it.
• Speak to any insurance representative or sign any insurance documents without first consulting an attorney.
• Delay seeking legal advice. Many personal injury claims have statutes of limitations or strict time limits to file a claim. Failure to file a timely claim can hamper your ability to recover.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, contact Woodland Hills personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
