Car Accident Lawyer Advice For Accident Scenes

What if you were able to speak with a car accident lawyer before a car accident ever took place? As you might imagine, there are many things the attorney would advise you to do and not do at the scene of the accident. Some of the most important include the following:

Insist the Police Come to the Scene and Make a Report

Suppose you are in a minor fender-bender and live in an area where the police will not come to the scene to write a report for minor, non-injury accidents. In that case, you must file an online report for your insurance company, but there is not much else you can do. 

However, for a more severe accident with the potential of personal injuries or significant vehicle damage, the police must come to the scene and make a report. 

In busy police jurisdictions, you may need to be very insistent when reporting the accident and requesting an officer come to the scene. But, it's important to note that having an official report from a neutral third-party can be the difference between winning or losing a future personal injury case in court. 

Don't Admit Fault at an Accident Scene

Whether you are talking to a police officer, bystander, or others involved in the accident, you shouldn't admit fault. Even if it is blatantly apparent to you and everyone else that you are at fault, those words should not come out of your mouth.

Later down the line, if a lawsuit is filed, the last thing you want is for a witness to get up on the stand and declare under oath you admitted at the time of the accident that you were at fault.

While admitting fault or apologizing for the accident on the scene may make your conscience momentarily feel better, it will make your lawyer's job nearly impossible down the line.

Whether or not you are actually at fault will be determined by law enforcement and the courts. So, do your future personal injury attorney a massive favor by staying quiet at the accident scene.

Check the Official Accident Report for Accuracy

Lastly, you must obtain a copy of the official accident report as soon as it is available. Read the accident report and ensure that everything on it is accurate regarding how you remember the accident scene and all the particulars, such as your name, address, etc.

If you find any discrepancies on the accident report, contact the local police department and find out what you need to do to have it changed. An accurate third-party report is vital to help your car accident lawyer win your case.

To learn more, contact a car accident law firm in your area such as Siben & Siben LLP.

Share