If you have been involved in a motor vehicle collision and you are not at fault, there are certain actions you must take immediately after the collision. The following is a checklist of those suggested actions:
- Take pictures of all the property damage of both vehicles.
- Take pictures of where the vehicles are in the roadway.
- Take pictures of the road signs or the intersection signs.
- Talk to the other driver, and if possible, get an audio recording of an admission of fault.
- Take a photo or obtain a copy of the other person's motor vehicle collision insurance.
- Take a photo of the other vehicle's license plate number.
- If the police are involved, tell the officer how the accident was the other person's fault. Be as factual as possible.
- Complain of body parts that feel different after the collision.
- If your car cannot be driven, make sure you take pictures or get a card from the wrecker service where your vehicle will be stored.
- Obtain the police report number, the badge number, and the name of the officer(s).
- Pay attention to whether the officer is using a body camera or has his dash camera turned on.
- Immediately go to an urgent care or a minor emergency center to get checked out if you feel any different after the collision.
- Report the collision to your insurance company and ask them for a copy of your declarations page to see which coverages you have available for the collision in the event the other party is either uninsured or underinsured.
- Do not give a statement to the other person's insurance company without first talking to a lawyer.
These steps may seem exhaustive. The rule of thumb to remember is that you must document everything about the collision. You will be trying to re-create history at some point in the future, either in front of a jury or for the benefit of an insurance company in an attempt to secure a settlement. It is best to have visual evidence regarding all aspects of the collision.
Keep in mind that the other party's insurance company is not in the business of trying to compensate you adequately, but is in the business of saving money. They will be looking for any factual basis to deny your claim or deny your injuries. It is advisable to contact an attorney's office immediately after the collision, regardless of how much damage is caused to the vehicle.