Even good drivers get in car accidents. Many of our clients have excellent driving records but were simply in the “wrong place at the wrong time” when a careless driver came along. This is why our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys have put together some pointers to help you navigate through a traumatic experience.
If you are in a car accident, the first rule is to protect yourself and anyone else who may have been injured. Make the scene as safe as possible by staying off the road. If you can’t move your car off the roadway, turn on your flashers to warn approaching traffic.
Call 911 as quickly as possible to report the accident. Let the police know if someone has been injured.
Stay at the scene until the police complete their investigation and tell you that you can leave. Leaving the scene of an accident can result in your losing your driver’s license, and perhaps even criminal charges.
Get as much information about the accident as you can. Get the other driver’s name, license number, and insurance information. If there are witnesses to the accident, get their names and contact numbers. Write down the location, the weather conditions, and any other notes that seem important to you about the scene. Write down the names of the police officers and the incident number from the police report. Take photographs of the scene and of the damages to all of the cars with your camera or smart phone.
Do not admit fault. Even if you think the accident was your fault, you may be overlooking something that contributed to the accident that was not your fault. Only give the police the facts. Let them draw their own conclusions about the cause of the accident.
Finally, be sure to get medical care. Even if you have only minor pain or discomfort you should still see a doctor. Many people in car accidents think that they only have a minor headache or a strain to their neck or back, only to find out later that they have suffered severe injuries.
All of these steps are important to protect yourself and your rights. To find out if you have a claim for your injuries, please contact the law offices of Koch and Brim. All consultations are free and there is no obligation on your part to proceed. Our Las Vegas car accident lawyers can answer any questions that you might have, explain your rights, and make the entire process easy.