After a motor vehicle accident, most people feel shocked and confused. This is more so when they have been injured. If you have been involved in an accident, there are a couple of steps a car accident lawyer Ottawa will recommend you take. They are as follows.
Step One: Call the Police
If you or your passenger has suffered injury, you need to contact the emergency services or the local police department. This is because when in shock, you may not understand the extent of your injuries. Regardless of who was at fault or how minor an accident was, it is always good to call the police or the emergency services. A police report will help file a claim with your insurance company. A police report also serves as evidence to corroborate the case facts when you pursue legal action against a negligent driver.
Step Two: Get the Other Driver’s Information
You will need the following information:
- Full name
- Driver’s license information
- Insurance provider
- Home address
- Phone number
- Make and model of their car
- License plate number
- Other vehicle’s passenger list, including their names, address and contact info
As you exchange this information, any experienced car accident lawyer will advise you to avoid discussing who is at fault. Fault will be determined in vehicle and property damage inspection. Information from other witnesses, supporting documentation and photos of the crime scene, and police reports will also be used to determine fault.
Step Three: Record Facts of the Accident
You will need to document the details of the collision, including date, time, location, time of day, the speed you were travelling, direction of each vehicle, and distance from the point of collision. You also need to describe the conditions of the road, traffic controls like stop signs and slow zone, as well as weather conditions. This information is essential in insurance claims.
Step Four: Take Photos
Photos of the accident scene and damage to property must be taken. The photos will be used when pursuing a lawsuit.
Step Five: Gather Witness Details
A witness helps determine fault if there is a disagreement between the drivers. Get the name, phone number, address, driver’s license and license plate information of witnesses.
Step Six: See a Doctor
You need to see a doctor after a collision. The medical documentation will be crucial evidence if you pursue a lawsuit. Treatment may be prescribed for your injuries. Whether you were at fault or not, if you got injured, there are benefits available to cover medical expenses.
Step Seven: Contact Your Insurance Company
You need to inform your insurer as soon as possible about the accident. The insurance company may require a police report number.
Step Eight: Seek Legal Advice
Last but not least, you need to seek legal advice from an experienced car accident lawyer. The lawyer will fight for you in the event of a lawsuit.
It is always good to find a legal professional before you ever need one. If you need an experienced car accident lawyer Ottawa, the Yegendorf Law Firm has got you covered.
