So you’ve been in an accident! It can happen to the best of us. Now what? The lawyers at Rogers Rogers Moyse can help you through this. We’ve done so for thousands of clients over the years so you don’t have to go it alone. But before you call us, we have a few suggestions to make sure that when these things happen, you know just what to do.
The first thing you should do when you’ve been in an accident is to make sure things don’t get worse. Stop your vehicle, turn off the ignition and put your emergency flashers on. Your safety and the safety of others is what’s most important at this time. Stay calm and assess whether you or anyone in your vehicle has been injured. Then try to determine whether your vehicle is in an unsafe place. If there are injuries, the vehicle seems to be damaged badly or unmovable or it is in an unsafe place, immediately call 911 or emergency response in your area. They will direct you as to what to do.
If you are not injured and it is safe to do so, you can exit your vehicle and check to see if there are people in other vehicles who are injured. Remember, if there are any injuries, you should immediately call for help. Moving an injured party may cause more harm so you should not move that person unless there is immediate danger such as fire.
Next thing you should do is document the accident scene by taking pictures of your vehicle and the other vehicles involved in the accident. Remember, only do this when it is safe. These photographs can be invaluable later and with most people having access to smartphones, the more pictures to describe the accident scene, the better.
Once you have made sure it is safe to do so, you can move your vehicle to the side of the road or the nearest safe place. It is helpful to discuss or plan a place to move the vehicles with the other drivers involved in the accident so that all parties can safely exchange information while staying out of traffic. If your vehicle cannot be driven, make sure to leave your emergency flashers on and provide other motorists with as much warning of your vehicle as possible. This is where things such as road flares, warning triangles, etc. can be very handy.
Now you need to gather information on the other vehicle or vehicles involved. The information you will need for every vehicle involved in the accident are:
- the driver’s name, license number, telephone number and address
- the insurance company and policy number
- the vehicle plate number, make, model and color
You should also get the names and telephone numbers for any witnesses who may be very important in determining what happened in the accident. Remember, safety is what is most important so exchange information only when you are away from traffic or other dangers. If the police attend the accident scene, they will likely gather this information but it is still important for you to gather this information yourself.
Once you have collected all the necessary information, you should notify your insurance company as soon as possible and report the accident to the police if they did not attend the accident scene. Then, call us, Rogers Rogers Moyse at 722-3777, day or night.
Car accidents are terrible, no doubt. But you are not alone when it happens. Remember, the lawyers at Rogers Rogers Moyse have extensive experience in helping the people of Newfoundland and Labrador deal with their personal injuries cases. From motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls and many other types of accidents, we can help you receive the compensation you deserve and get the protection you need. With personal injury cases, you only pay us after you receive a settlement. We will gladly meet with you to discuss your case, anywhere, anytime. Rogers Rogers Moyse can take on the worry and burden of dealing with these legal matters so that you can focus on getting well. At Rogers Rogers Moyse, We Stand For You.
Key Points
- Stop the car and assess the situation in your car to see if you or your passengers have been injured.
- If there are injuries, the car is unmovable, or the vehicle is damaged badly, call 911 immediately.
- Check to see if the other vehicle’s passengers are okay. Call 911 immediately if there are injuries.
- Document the accident by taking pictures of both cars.
- If possible, move your car to the side of the road with your emergency lights still on.
- Obtain the correct information; driver’s name, address, phone number, license number, license plate number, car model, color, insurance company, and policy number.
- Notify your insurance company as soon as possible.
