What to Do at the Scene of a Car or Truck Accident

<h1>What to Do at the Scene of a Car or Truck Accident</h1>Author: <a title="Paula Blackburn" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/paula-blackburn/105386.htm">Paula Blackburn</a> If you drive or ride in a car, you are bound to be involved in an <a href="http://www.attorneyscapecoral.com/services/auto_accident_faq.html">auto accident</a> at some point. From a minor fender-bender to a serious car or truck accident, there are certain steps you should take to ensure your personal safety and to document the damages to yourself and your auto. It is easy to become shaken up after an accident, so it may be handy to keep this checklist in your car so you can think clearly and remember these important steps. <ul> <li>Call the police. Wait for the police to arrive and file a full accident report. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Check all parties for any injuries. Those with injuries should be transported to a hospital as quickly as possible, preferably in an ambulance. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Gather information from the other parties involved in the accident. This should include each person’s name, address and phone number as well as the make, model, color and license plate number of each auto or truck involved. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Gather insurance information from each party involved. It may also be helpful to write down the vehicle identification number (VIN) of each car for insurance purposes. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Only discuss the details of the accident with the police, not the other parties or the other insurance companies involved. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>If you have a camera available, take photos at the scene of the accident. Document damage to your vehicle before repairs are made. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Contact your insurance company as soon as possible and tell them all of the details of the accident, including the information you have gathered from the other parties involved. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>If you or a loved one is injured in an auto or truck accident, contact an attorney as quickly as possible after the accident. </li> </ul> Dealing with insurance companies after an auto accident can be a daunting task. It may seem easier to simply settle as quickly as possible to avoid dragging out the claim. However, there are also actions you should avoid when dealing with your own insurance company or the company of the other parties. <ul> <li>Do not admit to any responsibility for the accident. That is the job of the insurance companies.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Do not wait too long to file a claim. The time limit may run out and you will lose the opportunity to file. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Do not settle with the insurance agency until you are certain the compensation is fair. You may need to do your own research to determine what is fair. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Do not sign any papers unless you are completely certain what you are signing. An attorney can help you understand these legal documents.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Only speak to your insurance company. Do not give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company, you are not under any legal obligation to give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company.</li> </ul> In some cases, especially those that result in personal injury or <a href="http://www.attorneyscapecoral.com/services/wrongfuldeath.html">wrongful death</a>, it may be in your best interest to hire an experienced attorney to help you recover damages, including: <ul> <li>Medical bill expenses</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Loss of wages</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Pain and suffering</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Auto damages</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Auto and health insurance</li> </ul> Try to remain as calm as possible after an accident. The safety and well-being of each passenger should be your primary concern, so if you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an auto accident, please visit the website of <a href="http://www.attorneyscapecoral.com/about-us.html">Lusk, Drasites, Tolisano & Smith, P.A.</a> in Cape Coral, Florida. Servicing all of southwest Florida, the attorneys of Lusk, Drasites, Tolisano & Smith can get you the compensation you deserve. About the Author: Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/what-to-do-at-the-scene-of-a-car-or-truck-accident-695377.html" title="What to Do at the Scene of a Car or Truck Accident">What to Do at the Scene of a Car or Truck Accident</a>

If you drive or ride in a car, you are bound to be involved in an auto accident at some point. From a minor fender-bender to a serious car or truck accident, there are certain steps you should take to ensure your personal safety and to document the damages to yourself and your auto. It is easy to become shaken up after an accident, so it may be handy to keep this checklist in your car so you can think clearly and remember these important steps.

Call the police. Wait for the police to arrive and file a full accident report.

Check all parties for any injuries. Those with injuries should be transported to a hospital as quickly as possible, preferably in an ambulance.

Gather information from the other parties involved in the accident. This should include each person’s name, address and phone number as well as the make, model, color and license plate number of each auto or truck involved.

Gather insurance information from each party involved. It may also be helpful to write down the vehicle identification number (VIN) of each car for insurance purposes.

Only discuss the details of the accident with the police, not the other parties or the other insurance companies involved.

If you have a camera available, take photos at the scene of the accident. Document damage to your vehicle before repairs are made.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible and tell them all of the details of the accident, including the information you have gathered from the other parties involved.

If you or a loved one is injured in an auto or truck accident, contact an attorney as quickly as possible after the accident.

Dealing with insurance companies after an auto accident can be a daunting task. It may seem easier to simply settle as quickly as possible to avoid dragging out the claim. However, there are also actions you should avoid when dealing with your own insurance company or the company of the other parties.

Do not admit to any responsibility for the accident. That is the job of the insurance companies.

Do not wait too long to file a claim. The time limit may run out and you will lose the opportunity to file.

Do not settle with the insurance agency until you are certain the compensation is fair. You may need to do your own research to determine what is fair.

Do not sign any papers unless you are completely certain what you are signing. An attorney can help you understand these legal documents.

Only speak to your insurance company. Do not give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company, you are not under any legal obligation to give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company.

In some cases, especially those that result in personal injury or wrongful death, it may be in your best interest to hire an experienced attorney to help you recover damages, including:

Medical bill expenses

Loss of wages

Pain and suffering

Auto damages

Auto and health insurance

Try to remain as calm as possible after an accident. The safety and well-being of each passenger should be your primary concern, so if you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an auto accident, please visit the website of Lusk, Drasites, Tolisano & Smith, P.A. in Cape Coral, Florida. Servicing all of southwest Florida, the attorneys of Lusk, Drasites, Tolisano & Smith can get you the compensation you deserve.

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