If you are in a car crash, the shock can hinder your ability to think clearly and make wise decisions.
Understanding what you need to do will be crucial to staying onside of the law and getting any compensation you need. These three questions are a good place to start:
1. Who do I need to call?
Here are the three people you should contact:
- The police: You need to call the police whenever you or someone else is injured or there is vehicle or property damage of $500 or more. If unsure, it is better to call anyway.
- A friend or family member: They can come and get you, as even if your vehicle seems OK to drive, you typically should not be the one to drive it. They can also take over, ringing around to get someone to pick your kids up from school, telling your boss you will be late and so on, as well as help you at the hospital.
- Your insurance company: Reporting an accident promptly will be crucial to your claim, so it is best to make the initial call early.
2. What should I say?
Say as little as possible about the crash until you have spoken to an attorney. It is easy to say things that could harm your chances of a claim. Most importantly, do not admit that you may have been partly to blame, especially to the police, the other driver or their insurer.
3. How much will this cost?
It is easy to underestimate the full cost of a collision. Getting legal help will be crucial to ensure you consider everything you need to be compensated for.
