Personal Injury Law

Get the Facts: Be a Good Reporter After a Car Accident

By Jim Reed

An auto accident can happen at any time, to anyone. As a personal injury attorney handling car accident cases in New York and Pennsylvania, believe me I know the devastation that can quickly happen on the road. If you are involved in a car crash that causes personal injuries or serious property damage, there are many complicated issues concerning fault and recovery. It is best to consult an experienced personal injury attorney quickly.

My experience has given me a perspective and knowledge that I like to share here in the NY Injury Law Blog and in the Ziff Law Firm’s Accidents and Car Crash FAQs. Here, I’d like to explain some of the information it’s important to get after an accident occurs.

First, let me note that it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to do three things after a serious accident.

You MUST:

• Stay on the scene.
• Aid the injured.
• Call the police.

Now, if you are not seriously hurt yourself, here’s how to be a good reporter after an accident and strengthen your case.

Write down the details of your accident. Note the time of day, weather and road conditions.

Make a diagram of the accident. Note the location of the vehicles, crosswalks, stop signs and traffic signals. Mark the location of any skid marks and note their length.

You must exchange information with the other driver and be sure to get the following:

• The other driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, insurance company name and the policy number. Ask the other driver if he or she is the owner of the vehicle. If not, you must get the name, address, phone number, insurance company and policy number of the vehicle’s owner.

• It’s pretty common knowledge that you should exchange information with the other driver. But did you consider passengers and witnesses? You should get the names, phone numbers and addresses of all passengers and any witnesses to the car accident.

Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle before you have it repaired, as well as any visible injuries you or your passengers suffered.

If you are a good reporter after a car accident in NY or PA, the information will help your attorney protect your rights. Because witnesses forget details, the better a record you keep - and the sooner you get the help of a personal injury lawyer - the better.

Remember,  you can call us at 800-ZIFFLAW or e-mail me personally at jreed@zifflaw.com if you or someone you care about has been involved in an auto accident.

Thanks for reading,

Jim
_________________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com http://www.zifflaw.com

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Full post as published by New York Injury Law Blog on March 13, 2009 (boomark / email).