Immediately call for medical help if someone is injured.
Call the police. They will document the accident and gather facts for legal purposes. If you don’t call the police, it is your word against the other person’s.
Report the accident to your insurance agent as soon as possible.
Move the car if it is drive able to the side of the road or a parking lot.
Exchange information with the other parties involved, such as address and phone number. If it’s a car accident get the license plate number; make, model and year of the vehicle; driver’s insurance information; car registration number; driver’s license number.
Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses. Keep in mind, if it was a car accident, any passengers involved in the accident are not witnesses.
Keep a disposable camera handy, such as in your glove box, to take pictures of the accident, damage to the vehicle, and the area around the accident.
Write down any details you can remember from the accident.
Call an attorney if needed.
Don’t
Panic. Remain calm and call for help.
Leave the scene of the accident.
Discuss the accident with anyone and blame anyone, including yourself.
Forget to document and take pictures of all damages, especially your vehicle, if in a car accident.
Wait to get legal advice. The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove your case.
Speak to anybody from the at-fault person’s insurance company before consulting a lawyer. If you give a statement, it may be used against you in the future.
Sign any papers given to you by an insurance company or agree to a settlement of your case until you get legal advice.
Remember, safety is first! Always call 911, no matter how big the injury!