What to do after an accident

Posted on by LCW Admin
Best Law Firm

Do you know what to do after you’ve been in an accident?  Here is some important information that you should remember.

Steps

  1. Safety First:
    If you’ve been in an accident make sure you and everyone with you is okay. Try to attend to anyone who is injured.
  2. Call the Police:
    Call 911 immediately in cases of emergencies. Call the police to report the accident if you think a criminal act may have been committed. In cases of car accidents, notify the police if you think the damage to your vehicle is more than $1000.
  3. Exchange Information:
    Exchange insurance information with other parties involved, including witnesses. Make sure to include names, addresses, contact information, and license plate numbers. When recording vehicle information, remember to include make, model, plate number, and vehicle serial number. Collect this information even if police are on the scene. Advice: do not accept fault for the accident.
  4. Notify Insurance:
    Report the accident and any damage sustained to your insurance company as soon as possible.

Do’s

  • Do inform the police, your employer, family doctor, school, banks, credit card companies, landlord, mortgage brokers, etc.
  • Do record the names and contact information of any witnesses involved, directly or indirectly, with the accident.  Download and use our after an accident form to make sure that you don’t forget to record all the information you will need.
  • Do check for health and injury coverage provided by your employer, health and benefi t carrier, and other sources
  • Do keep all receipts for expenses related to the accident incurred by you or family members helping the injured person

Don’ts

  • Don’t rely on non-professional help from well-meaning friends, co-workers, or family members
  • Don’t sign any document you don’t fully understand or has not been carefully explained to you
  • Don’t rush into any settlement or accept an offer without reviewing it with a lawyer
  • Don’t assume the insurance company has your best interests in mind

There are several critical timelines to keep in mind after a motor vehicle accident:

You have 7 days to contact and inform your accident benefits insurer.

You have 30 days to file your government application for accident benefits.

You have 120 days to file written notice of your intention to sue.

You have 730 days (2 years) to commence a lawsuit against an at-fault party.