In the first few moments after any kind of accident — bicycle, car, or motorcycle — things can be best described as “chaotic.” There’s a lot going on and having just been in an accident, there’s some sensory overload. It’s easy to forget things, and these are usually what gets lost in the mix.
- The Other Party’s Contact And Insurance Information
This is a classic mistake that happens much more often than the law community is comfortable with. A driver at fault can be very quick to convince the other party to let it go and just head on their way. This is the tired, old “You can buff that right out” maneuver. No matter how many times someone asks you to “not get the insurance companies involved”, you’re going to need to. This is what insurance companies are for.
An insurance card is great and all, but you’re also going to need that person’s name, phone number, and email address. This is vital, since you will more than likely have to contact this person very soon. It’s also a wise idea to get that person to call your phone right there, so you know you got a legit number.
Even though things look just fine at the moment, it’s better to have this information and not need it; than the other way around.
- A Report from The Emergency Responders
No matter how “not-injured” you feel, it’s of the utmost importance to have an emergency first responder (EMT, Paramedic, Fire Department) give you a good once-over. So many people decline medical attention at the scene and then find themselves with serious medical complications later down the line. Having a medical professional look you over and record any pain or other symptoms you might have, creates a record of this.
Even if you can only feel “bumps & bruises” or general soreness, have someone take a look at you. After they do, keep the documentation of it.
The last thing you want is to be in a situation where you’re injured and dealing with the pain, and someone can say “Well, you didn’t say anything was wrong at the time.”
3. Pictures of The Accident From The Scene Of The Accident
The worst thing to deal with, and for your lawyer to have to sift through, is conflicting reports. When it gets into an issue of which report is more believable, that creates a huge mess that nobody wants to deal with.
When you’re actually there, use your smartphone to snap a picture of the damage and anything else relevant. This way, everyone there can see you’re taking these pictures and cannot say you manipulated them. Using a smartphone will also geotag the photos, so you can prove the location in which they were taken.
About The Author:
Reza Torkzadeh, Esq. is the founder of THE TORKZADEH LAW FIRM an Award Winning Personal Injury Law Firm representing victims and families of serious accidents. Over the past several years, Reza has obtained record setting results on behalf of his clients who have been injured in motor vehicle accident including defective products, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, dangerous premises and wrongful death claims.