About 65% of Washington mothers think that “everyone uses their phone while they drive”. Unfortunately, this doesn’t make it ok, and it’s cell phone use that’s the cause of many accidents. When you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, whether you’re at fault or not, there are a few steps you should take. This will ensure everyone stays safe, and you do the thing necessary to get your car fixed.
Follow this guide the next time you’re in an auto accident.
Safety First
Your first priority after an accident should be the safety of everyone involved. Check to see if anyone involved has suffered injuries. If there are injured people, then you may need to call for emergency services.
Get to a Safe Place
If your vehicle is still operational, then you need to move it to the side of the road. Get out of the way of oncoming traffic to reduce the risk of getting hit by an oncoming car. If you have flares, cones, or other markers, it can help to put them out.
File a Motor Vehicle Accident Report
Even if the accident is minor and everyone is cooperative, you should call the police and file an accident report. Get a copy of the report once it’s completed. This will give you the contact and insurance information of the other party, along with an official record of what happened.
You’ll want to save this report so that you can submit a copy to your insurance company and to your personal injury attorney in Spokane.
Gather Your Own Evidence
Don’t depend solely on the police report. It’s smart to gather your own evidence. Gather the contact information of any witnesses. Take pictures of the accident scene to document the current conditions at the time of the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company
After you leave the scene and you’re in a quiet place, you’ll want to contact your insurance company and notify them of the accident. They will create a report that outlines the details of the incident.
If you choose to deal with the insurance company yourself, then you’ll need to submit evidence of your damages. This includes medical bills and property damage repair estimates.
Contact a Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney
It’s smart to consult an attorney about your rights. Your attorney is experienced with communicating with insurance companies and will fight for your best interests.
You’ll want to hire an attorney that has experience representing clients injured in auto accidents. Your lawyer will explain your rights, possible legal claims, and what qualifies for recovery.
Hire a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve recently experienced a motor vehicle accident, you’re experiencing an emotional and stressful time. Seek out an auto accident attorney in Spokane who can provide you with logical and level headed guidance. They will discuss your case, help you total your damages, and seek recovery.
Contact our office today if you’ve been involved in an auto accident.