If you have been in a car accident before, this post may seem be old hat to you. However, there are tens of thousands of drivers who have not involved in a crash, even though there are thousands of crashes that result in injuries and property damage (along with countless fender benders) in Colorado each year.
Due to this possibility, it is helpful for drivers to know how to conduct themselves in the event of a crash. Naturally, they may be frustrated or injured, but they still have to preserve images and evidence in order to preserve their claims. Here are some helpful tips.
Be wary of what you say – As we said before, maintaining your emotions is important. Even if you are particularly remorseful, avoid accepting the blame for the accident or making statements that could be construed as an admission. They could be used against you later if there is legal action.
Be sure to get insurance information – This may go without saying, but having the other driver’s insurance information is essential. Indeed, there are some situations where the other driver may not have their information (even though they are required by law to carry it) or they are unconscious you and cannot retrieve it from them. In these instances, other identifying information (i.e. a telephone number, the car’s license plate number) is helpful.
Use your camera – The camera on your cell phone is essential for documenting the scene before things are moved or lost in the cleanup. If you have an insurance company’s app on your phone you could even send pictures in real-time to your insurer.
Source: KCRA.com, “What you should do after a car accident,” January 6, 2014
