Being involved in an accident is no fun. When it happens, the last thing on your mind is: "How do I protect myself if I am injured and need to bring a claim?" While you are dealing with your injuries, the insurance company for the other side is likely hard at work trying to limit their liability.
Here are 5 important steps to take in the event you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, and 5 more if you have an accident at a business.
If you are in an automobile accident:
- Get the names and addresses of the drivers of the other vehicles involved in the accident.
- If there are any witnesses, get their names and contact information.
- Call the police.
- If you are injured, seek immediate medical attention.
- Contact a lawyer to determine if any investigation needs to be done.
If you have an accident at a business:
- Report the accident to the manager.
- Ask the manager to prepare an accident report and ask for a copy of the report.
- Get the names of any employees, or witnesses who were present when the accident occurred or who were there immediately afterward.
- If your injury is caused by an unsafe condition, ask someone to take pictures of the condition as it existed at the time you were injured. A cell phone picture will work fine. This is especially important if the cause of the accident is a temporary condition such as ice in a parking lot, or a puddle of liquid on the floor of a store.
- Contact a lawyer as soon as possible so that a complete investigation can be done before important evidence and witnesses disappear.
