Soon after a car accident, especially one in which you may be at fault, you should prioritize safety. Call 911 for police and medical aid and seek immediate medical attention for any injuries. It is important to document the scene with photos, exchange insurance information with the other driver, and get contact details from any witnesses. Following these steps helps protect your legal rights and strengthens your ability to file an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover damages from the responsible party.
There’s a good chance you will be in a motor vehicle accident at some point during your time as a licensed driver. In most multi-vehicle car crashes, one motorist is usually more at fault than the other. So the question that arises is what do you do after a car accident that wasn’t your fault?
The things you do in the moments after a car crash will determine whether you can file a successful car accident claim. The steps you take following a car accident are the same regardless of who’s at fault. However, there are specific things you can do to protect your interests if the other driver refuses to admit fault.
Taking all the right steps after an auto accident is always a good idea, but it can prove especially beneficial when: 1) The other party leaves the scene of the accident, 2) The other driver refuses to wait for law enforcement so they can file a police report, 3) The at-fault driver doesn’t tell the police officer the truth about what happened, 4) You believe the other motorist is drunk or under the influence of drugs and/or 5) The other party is uncooperative in any other way
Even if the other driver refuses to exchange insurance information or flees, wait for the police to come and investigate the accident scene. You will also need the report when you file your car insurance claim.
Before you do anything else, you must move your vehicle to a safe location. Typically, this involves driving your car onto the shoulder or turning off on a side street. The last thing you want is another vehicle to come along and hit your vehicle or one of the people involved in the car crash. Make sure to take pictures of the accident scene before moving the vehicles, provided you can do so safely.
Call the police as soon as possible after your accident. Do so even if the other driver tries to convince you that you don’t need to involve law enforcement. Since it’s in everyone’s best interest to have the police conduct a thorough accident investigation, there is no reason not to call 911.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
