After you’re treated for any serious medical concerns or illnesses from the crash, you can start to look into your case with your attorney. The first thing you’ll want to do is start gathering information. You need information about witnesses, the insurance information for the other driver, the names and addresses of the drivers involved in the crash and the other car’s make, year, model and license plate number. If you can get the vehicle identification number, that can also be helpful.
Even if you think the car accident might be your fault, don’t say so. You might think you were wrong and find out that the other driver actually made a serious error that led to the accident. Anything you say to the other driver or police now can be used against you later, so it’s better to avoid admitting guilt. Don’t agree to pay any damages or to sign any contracts other than traffic tickets.
You and the other driver should both have auto insurance. If you don’t or the other driver doesn’t, you can be in trouble with the law. If the other driver doesn’t have it, you may have to sue for compensation after you’re injured, since there is no insurance company that can foot the bill for your medical bills, lost wages or other financial implications.
Source: The State Bar of California, “What Should I Do If I Have An Auto Accident?,” accessed April 01, 2016
By attorney Christopher B. Dolan, owner of the Dolan Law Firm. Email Chris questions and topics for future articles to help@dolanlawfirm.com
