Hot Tips and Checklist for you if you are involved in an accidentWow, you just had an accident. It's really easy to panic and lose your head after the crash, just when you need to stay calm. Right after the accident is a critical time when you will need to be noting important information, talking to witnesses and if possible taking photographs. You need to do this to ensure that you are fully covered and compensated for any damage done to you or your property. Also it it important to ensure that the facts are accurately recorded at the time of the accident and not lost in the 'fog' of time. Never admit that the accident was your fault, even if it was! This will be the furthest thing from your mind straight after the accident so a checklist will be invaluable and you should keep it in the car, just in case! At the scene of the Accident you will need to record the following: The Driver information of all cars involved in the accident, (including yours). This should comprise of: Driver Name, Driving License Number, Car Tag Number, Insurance Company Name and contact information and finally the insurance policy number. Write down the contact details of any witnesses to the accident. These should comprise of: Witness Name, Witness Address, Witness Phone Number and email address. If you have access to a camera: Take photos of the accident scene, the damage to all the cars involved and any injuries that have occurred to the occupants of the cars. Follow up after the accident with: Write your own detailed description of the accident and how it occurred with the supporting details as soon as you can after the accident. Take photos of all of your injuries. The Police report if they were called to the scene of the accident. Written accounts of the accident from the witnesses. Post Accident: Keep a track of all medical expenses and visits. These costs include: Any medication such as prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. Hospital visits and treatments such as x-rays, MRI, lab services and physiotherapy or acupuncture. Keep a note of the reasons for seeing the doctors and the date and time of the visits. Log any time off work as a result of the accident. If you lose any income as a result get a letter from your employed detailing the lost income. If you are still in school log the schooling time lost. As you go through medical treatment take photos of your injuries and time and date them to show your recovery progress after the accident. Keep a log of how you feel, especially any pain, discomfort and distress related to the accident and how it is affecting your life. Add the photos to the log to help document your progress. Keep all property bills related to the accident. These can include the cost of car repairs and any property damage such as fences, signs and barriers. Keep track of any other expenses related to the accident, (the log is an ideal place for this), such as vacation cancellation, cost of a rental car and miscellaneous costs of bandages, ointments and anything related to the treatment of your injuries. Do not answer any queries or questions from the other parties insurance company or attorney without checking with your attorney first. Do not sign any documents or settle any bills until you know the full extent of any current or future medical bills related to the accident and get the approval of your attorney. We hope you never have to follow our advice but if you do have an accident it's nice to know we're here! |
 |