What do I need to do if I’m in an automobile accident?

What do I need to do if I’m in an automobile accident? When you are in an automobile accident, you may be injured and in shock. But it is important to protect yourself legally at the earliest possible moment. Here is a list of things to do right away to make sure your legal rights are covered:

• Get the other driver’s name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver’s license number, insurance company name and policy number.
• Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses.
• Get the name of the police officer who comes to the scene of the accident. Ask when and where a copy of the police report will be available.
• Get medical attention right away, regardless of whether you think you’ve been injured. Often, symptoms from an injury will not surface for several days. Tell the physician you see that you’ve just been in an accident.
• Write down everything you can remember about the accident as soon as possible. Draw a diagram of the streets, the direction of the vehicles, the location of witnesses and any other details you recall.
• Take pictures of the accident scene from different angles.
• Take pictures of the damage done to your vehicle and any visible injuries to your body. Take many photographs, from different angles. Additionally, have these photographs developed quickly to determine if they adequately depict what you were photographing.

Taking these steps immediately after your accident can preserve evidence and help you prove your personal injury case down the line.