If you’re involved in a car accident, it’s important to know how to handle it. There are guidelines to follow in order to have the best chance of a successful claim.
Read on to learn about the three people you should call after getting into a car accident.
#1 – The Police
If you’re involved in a car accident, the first thing you should do after checking for any injuries is call the police. It doesn’t matter how much property damage occurred as a result of the accident, and it doesn’t matter if you sustained any injuries. You should always call the authorities if you’re involved in an accident.
When the police arrive, tell them what happened, exactly as you remember it. If they ask a question that you don’t know the answer to, tell them you don’t know. Don’t try to speculate or make inferences about anything you don’t know for certain.
The report that the police take will be very important for your claim later on. Having a police report can significantly increase your chances of having a viable insurance claim. Without one, it will be much more difficult to prove the things you tell the insurance company about the accident.
#2 – Your Attorney
Before leaving the scene of the accident, it’s a good idea to give your attorney a call. Your attorney may have guidance for you to help make your claim as successful as possible. A skilled car accident attorney will know all the steps to take after a crash and will make sure you don’t forget any of them.
It’s common to be in shock after a car accident, which can cause you to forget crucial steps. Don’t beat yourself up over it, just call your attorney so they can help guide you through the steps to make sure you get through them all.
#3 – The Insurance Company
After being involved in an accident, you’ll need to file a claim with the insurance company. Additionally, it’s required by law to make your own insurance company aware when you’re involved in an accident, even if you don’t intend to file a claim with them.
However, you don’t have to make the call to the insurance company alone. You may have your attorney make the call for you so that you don’t accidentally say something that could hurt your claim.
Insurance company representatives are very skilled manipulators. When you speak with them on the phone, they greet you with a warm and inviting tone. They make you feel like they’re your best friend. This is not on accident. They are trained extensively on how to gain your trust so that they can exploit you later. Don’t let them fool you into thinking they’re on your side—they’re not.
You see, insurance companies are looking out for their bottom line—not for your well-being as they’d like you to believe. The quicker they close claims, the more money they make. Insurance companies have a clear incentive to close claims—not to help people.
In addition to having your attorney make your statement for you over the phone, you also have the option to make your statement about the accident in writing, if you so choose. You may draft your statement with your attorney’s assistance so that you don’t write anything that could harm your claim later on.
We’re Here to Support You
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, our attorneys are here to help. Here at The Odierno Law Firm, P.C., we have helped countless people in similar situations obtain justice, and we can help you, too. Don’t allow the person who harmed you to get away with their negligence. Don’t wait—contact our office with your case right away.
Call (631) 752-8580 to talk to a trusted personal injury attorney about your injuries.
Scott F. Odierno is a partner at Odienero Law firm. Find out more about Scott on his profile page, or view any of his social media profiles below:
