Steps to Take if You’re Hit by Another Driver

Auto accidents occur every day and are usually the fault of one or more drivers. When you are in a collision but are not at fault, it can be difficult to know the necessary steps to take in the situation. If you want to be prepared and protect yourself, there are a few important tips to follow.

Keep the Driver at the Scene

It’s important to keep the driver at the scene as long as possible to ensure that you can collect his or her information. Don’t allow the driver to leave, and request his or her insurance information, driver’s license, and license plate number. Take photos on your smartphone of the damage to your vehicle and the scene. Contact the police to file a report, and communicate the information to the authorities. Avoid apologizing or taking responsibility for the accident.

Start an Insurance Claim

Contact the driver’s insurance company and open a claim as soon as possible. Avoid providing more than cursory information about the accident to the company. You won’t have to disclose any information about the details of your doctor visits or if you filed a report. Avoid giving a lengthy narrative, and stick to the basic facts. Begin documenting your medical bills, lost wages, and the damages after filing a claim.

Contact a Lawyer

Once you’ve filed an insurance claim, you’ll need to contact a personal injury lawyer if you feel it’s necessary to head to court and seek compensation. The legal professional can guide you in the right direction and will review the details of the case to determine if you have a chance of winning. He or she can suggest a specific amount of money that you can seek to cover the cost of your medical bills, psychological effects, and lost wages. An attorney can also inform you of your legal rights and will offer aggressive representation to help you secure the compensation that you deserve.