California Attorney at Law Norman Gregory Fernandez
Nobody plans on getting into a car, truck, or other motor vehicle accident, so most people are really do not know what to do if they are involved in a vehicle collision. You may have read the DMV handbook, or heard from friends what ought to be done immediately after a crash, but maybe you are not exactly sure what you should do.
Just after an accident, you could be injured, your emotions and adrenalin may be running on overload, and you might be worried about any family and friends in your vehicle. You should follow the steps below after any accident, no matter how serious.
Stay at the scene of the accident.
Leaving or fleeing the scene of an accident, even if it was not your fault, may lead to criminal charges. After an accident you should pull to the side of the road if you can; you should not leave your car in traffic lanes if it can be moved.
Ensure everyone is OK
Check on passengers, if any, and any drivers or passengers of other motor vehicles involved in the vehicle accident. If someone is hurt, never move them unless it is absolutely necessary, call 911 immediately if you can, or have someone else call if you cannot.
Call Law Enforcement.
You should always call law enforcement from the scene of an accident no matter how serious the accident is, no matter what. Law enforcement won’t always show up, especially when there aren’t any injuries; however you should at least try to get them to come out and write an accident report.
Exchange information with the other driver
The more information you get, the better it will be for you later on. At the minimum you want to obtain their Driver’s license number, driver’s license name, driver’s license address, driver’s license expiration date, any restrictions on driver’s license, vehicle license plate number, all info from their vehicle registration card, all information from their insurance card, write down a description of the driver in case they try to claim someone else was driving.
Take as many pictures as possible of all things. The car, the scene, the damage, skid marks, the road conditions, weather, traffic signs, everything, even the other drivers license, passengers, the actual other driver, etc.
Try to find witnesses.
If there are witnesses try to get their version of the events. If their version is helpful to your case, get all of their information and ask them if they will be a witness for you.
These are the first steps you need to take at the scene after you’ve been in an auto accident.
Whatever you do, DO NOT apologize or make any unnecessary statements. Don’t speak to anyone; keep your statements to the minimum, above all, never admit you are at fault!
If you or your family have been the victim of a truck crash, car crash, or other motor vehicle accident in Oxnard or anywhere in California call us for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 x. 1, or go to https://thepersonalinjury.com
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