Call 911 immediately after the accident. The adage, “better safe than sorry” holds true when confronted with collision injuries. When you are told that an ambulance or medical personnel are on the way, then assess yourself and any others for serious injuries and keep note of all injuries you find, including minor injuries. This information will not only be helpful for the medical personnel at the scene, this information will also be helpful later when you and your attorney attempt to obtain cash compensation from the other drivers’ insurance company for injuries and property damage.
As you may know, life moves a little faster in the Los Angeles area. In addition, time will move much faster after a car accident and when you are exchanging information with another party or giving an accident report. You should remember to gather as much information as possible before the proper Los Angeles law enforcement authorities or the California Highway Patrol arrives on scene. This information includes the license plate of the vehicles involved in the accident and any other helpful information to identification, such as names, home addresses and driver’s license numbers. If you are unable to get this information from the other driver, then simply wait for the proper Los Angeles law enforcement authorities or the California Highway Patrol.
Remember to note the approximate time of the accident, the cross-streets or approximate location of the accident, and the number of persons involved in the accident. Getting this information early will help the accident report process go more smoothly and quicker as well as ensure that you relay accurate and complete information in the accident report.
Because accidents happen often in Los Angeles and because your vehicle is likely to be blocking traffic when an accident occurs, you may feel obligated to move your car off the road in order to keep traffic moving. Although this seems like it will be better for others, it is not better for you to just exchange information with the other driver or to move your vehicle. Wait for the proper Los Angeles law enforcement authorities and emergency medical personnel to arrive. This will ensure that future problems are not created for you and your lawyer in recovering money for your personal injuries and property damage. As an additional tip, even if your injuries seem minor at the time, it is always smart to have medical personnel dispatched to the scene so they can at least do a quick assessment of all injuries, including anything minor.
Although at the time it may seem unnecessary, the accuracy and completeness of a medical report will be of utmost importance later. Remembering sufficient information about injuries to report to the paramedics and EMT’s will most certainly reduce issues for you and your attorney down the road when insurance compensation is on your mind. You can improve the accuracy and completeness of a report by taking thirty second to recall and organize the facts of the accident and all injuries sustained by you and any passenger.
Remember when talking to police officers they often take quick notes. To make sure the accident report taken is complete and accurate you should take thirty seconds to recall how the accident occurred. You will want to remember the following information: the time of the accident, the direction you were headed, the approximate speed at the time of impact, the cause of the accident, and if the other party admitted fault. Remembering these basic elements of the car accident will be valuable to you, your attorney, and the insurance companies.
