As the amount of traffic in Phoenix, Arizona, keeps rising, you might find yourself in a car accident. Understandably, you may be rattled up following a car collision, but you must maintain your composure and have a plan in place. Here is your ultimate checklist following a car accident in Phoenix.
Make sure you and others are injury-free.
Look around you and at yourself to see if someone is hurt or in difficulty. Do not move anyone who appears hurt because that could do more harm. Alert the police and an ambulance if required. To warn other drivers, turn on your emergency flashers and place warning flares in strategic locations.
Exchange information
You should only exchange information with the other accident participants. Refrain from discussing the incident or how it happened. Shorten your discussions and make sure to gather the following details:
- Name of the other involved parties in full and contact details
- Company name and policy number
- License plate number and driver’s license
- Model, kind, and color of the car
- Place of the accident
Avoid admitting fault
Never acknowledge responsibility, even if you believe you may have caused the accident. An admission of guilt will undoubtedly be used against you by insurance companies and harm any future personal injury claim. Sometimes people make comments that they believe are innocent but are ultimately used against them. For instance, offering an apology is formally a type of fault admission. When you apologize, you are expressing that you have something to regret.
Photograph and record the accident scene.
Photos and videos of the collision and your injuries are crucial evidence you may gather. Images can serve as tangible proof for your case and are said to be worth a thousand words. You should document the accident site with photos and videos of the surrounding area, your automobile, the other cars involved in the collision, your injuries, and any injuries to passengers in your vehicle.
File an accident report.
No matter what anyone else says, after an automobile collision, you should always call the police. A police report establishes an official accident record and is crucial evidence in your damage case. It lists the parties involved and provides information on the damage’s scope. In that case, you should also notify your insurance provider.
Never sign an agreement or waiver without consulting a lawyer.
Once you file a claim, the at-fault party’s insurance company may contact you, and they might promise you instant cash in return for a short bit of paperwork. Insurance adjusters frequently use this strategy to downplay your damages, and they would prefer you accept an offer instead of waiting to learn the full extent of your damages. Therefore, consult an experienced car accident lawyer before signing away your right to receive just compensation.
The takeaway
It is valuable to consult an attorney before engaging with either your insurance provider or the provider of the negligent party to avoid unwillingly hurting your case.
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