If you are in a car accident and haven’t called the Mike Hostilo Law Firm yet, here are a few important things to remember:

DON’T: ADMIT FAULT IN A CAR CRASH

• It is best to let the evidence speak for itself. Even if you believe you are at fault, you should never admit it – openly to the police or to the other party. Let the investigators look at the evidence from the accident to determine who is at fault.
• Getting an Car wreck lawyer can be difficult after you’ve admitted fault to the responding officer or other party involved in the car crash.

DON’T: SETTLE YOUR CLAIM IMMEDIATELY

• Never sign anything until you’ve spoken with your auto accident attorney.
• Many times the other driver’s insurance company will try to get you to sign a release for legal claims that you may have.
• In some cases, victims end up finding out that their car accident claim could’ve been worth more than what they were offered – yet they have already settled for the bare minimum.

DON’T: LEAVE THE SCENE OF THE CAR WRECK

• There are some exceptions to this rule, of course. If the vehicle or surrounding area is in flames or an explosion is possible, please distance yourself for safety. But don’t leave the scene completely.
• It is important to remain at the scene of the car wreck until police arrive. They will then give you proper notice when you are permitted to leave.

DON’T: MOVE THE VEHICLE

• Leave the vehicle where it is after an auto wreck. Only move it if required by law or if a police officer gives you directions to do so for safety reasons.

DO: CALL 911 ASAP

• Without a doubt, the first thing you need to do after a car crash is call 911.
• Whether or not emergency medical attention is needed, you need to call the police immediately. Even if you and the other party seem to be physically unharmed, you need to make the police aware.
• Furthermore, by alerting 911, it will alert all other authorities needed at the car wreck scene with just one call.

DO: BE CAUTIOUS OF WHO YOU SPEAK TO

• One of insurance adjusters’ most common tricks is to get you to make a statement after your car crash. Don’t fall for it! Never give a statement to the other party without your car accident lawyer present.
• The insurance adjuster will likely attempt to use your words against you. So, while you can give them a statement, you should always have your car accident lawyer present to ensure that you don’t falsely incriminate yourself.
• For clarity, please cooperate with medical personnel and law enforcement at the accident scene. However, you still should never admit any fault to any party without your trusted auto accident lawyer by your side.

DO: IF YOU’RE INJURED OR IN PAIN, SEE A DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY

• After your accident, you should always go to see the doctor. Even if the injuries were minor, this gives you credible evidence that you can use in court if you start to develop problems. In fact, it’s a good idea to get checked out even if you do not think you are injured at all.
• If you don’t go to a doctor to establish the injuries and you later experience health problems, the other party’s lawyers could try to pass the blame. This could significantly lower the amount of compensation you collect.

DO: TAKE PICTURES AND KEEP A PAPER TRAIL

• After an auto accident, it’s smart to collect some records and photos that will help your injury claim. In many instances, having the right documentation can win or lose a case.
• If a police officer responds to the scene of the auto accident, they’ll file a report that includes essential information, like statements from drivers, traffic laws violated, and the potential causes of the accident. To get a copy of the report, you need to contact the law enforcement agency that filed it.
• Medical records are also important to your case and could include pharmacy prescriptions, physical therapy, emergency room treatment, and hospital admission.
• If your vehicle needs to be repaired after an auto wreck, keep a careful written record of every service performed and what you paid as a result of the car accident.
• Keep records of missed work days, including time lost the day of the car accident, accident-related medical appointments, and other events related to the accident that may result in time lost in wages.

DO: GET WITNESS TESTIMONIES

• After your car crash, if you know it is not your fault, the bystanders who witness the wreck can be very important to your legal claim.
• Make sure to get their contact information, at minimum their name and phone number.
• Ask them what they saw and write down details of their account of the auto wreck. Also, it’s vital they give their testimony to the police at the scene as well. This will allow their statement to be documented within your accident report.

DO: REMOVE ANY PERSONAL ITEMS FROM THE VEHICLE

• If it’s safe to return to your vehicle, remove any personal items you may want to keep. The vehicle will be towed if damaged or totaled and you may not know where it will be located – or if you’ll have access to it.