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    Carrollton Car Accident Tips

    The actions you take immediately following a car accident and the things you do (or don’t do) in the days and weeks that follow impact your ability to receive the right compensation for your injuries and damages. According to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are over 6 million vehicle accidents each year.

    If you are one of the 6 million this year, then learning more about what to do in the minutes and days that follow an accident can help you protect your rights. While an auto accident attorney can’t help prevent an accident, these important Do’s and Don’ts will help protect your rights if you are in a vehicle collision.

    Car Accident Do’s and Don’ts

    Below are important tips of what to do following a car accident. It is critical that someone follows this process so they can file claims accordingly.

    Do:

    1. Seek Medical Help: Seek out prompt medical attention if you or one of your passengers is injured. Even if you feel ok and everyone looks fine, medical records can help document what happened on the day of your accident. Some injuries are also not visible; you could have sustained back, neck or head injuries that are not immediately apparent and could cause long term problems if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

    2. Call the Police: A police record of the incident will serve as documentation as to what happened and will help your attorney win your case. If you do not call the police, then there is no record of the incident beyond what you – and the other party – claim.

    3. Gather Information: You’ll need to get the identifying information about the other party, including their:

    • Name and address
    • Phone or email contact information
    • Vehicle information, including the make, model and year of their car and the license plate number and registration information
    • Insurance information including the name of their insurance company and any police information you can ascertain.

    4. Gather Witnesses: People often stop to assist with an accident or if they have seen what happened; getting contact information from any bystanders who saw what happened can help your attorney protect your rights and win your case.

    5. Document Details: Use your phone or a camera to take pictures of the scene to fully document what happened. Take photos of the damage to the vehicles, the position of the cars and any obstacles or conditions that could have contributed to the accident.

    6. Call your Insurance Company: Get in touch with your own insurance company right away and let them know what happened.

    7. Keep Records: Keep careful records of any conversation or communication you have with your own insurance company. You’ll be documenting the case and will be able to provide all of the information your attorney needs for your case. You should also keep any receipts you have from repairs, costs related to the accident or even medical bills to further document your claim.

    8. Call an Attorney: Get in contact with an attorney that is familiar with auto accidents and able to cope with the legal aftermath of the incident. Your personal injury attorney may have specific advice for you once you explain what happened and can even begin investigating the incident and protecting your rights from the start.

    Don’t:

    What you do after an accident matters – but avoiding these common errors will help your case as well. Keep these important “Don’ts” in mind if you have been in an accident:

    1. Do not apologize: Apologizing, accepting blame or even agreeing that you had some responsibility in causing the accident may be polite, but it will harm your case. Do not accept blame or agree to any settlement before you speak to an attorney.

    2. Don’t Volunteer Information: Answer any questions asked by police officers, but avoid providing excessive information or details that could later impact your case.

    3. Don’t Leave the Scene: Avoid panicking or leaving the scene of the accident; stay on site until the police arrive and you have been able to fully document what happened. If you leave the scene prematurely you not only risk missing out on important documentation, but you could be subject to criminal penalties as well.

    4. Don’t Talk to Anyone: Avoid having a conversation with the insurance company or anyone representing the “other side” until you speak to an attorney. Giving a statement or even speaking to anyone from the other party’s insurer can damage your case. Accepting a settlement or agreeing to an amount with the insurance company is a costly mistake; you could end up missing out if you fail to protect your rights with an attorney.

    Contact The Parian Law Firm, LLC

    If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, contact us right away for immediate assistance. Timing is crucial; the sooner you contact an attorney, the better; we’ll be able to act immediately to protect your rights and make sure you get the outcome you deserve after an accident.