Here are some statistics that show how safe the US roads are.
- There were 35,766 fatal car accidents in 2020
- 35% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents are due to impaired driving
- Excess speed was responsible for 11,258 motor vehicle accident fatalities
- Distracted driving was the leading cause of fatal collisions
- Montana was considered the most dangerous state for drivers in 2020
It’s only natural to panic when you see hair-raising numbers like this. It’s almost as if a majority of drivers haven’t heard the old adage, “Prevention is better than cure.”
As serious as accidents are, it is important to bring the at-fault party or parties to justice. One way of doing that is by reaching out to the experienced car accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group and other firms to get quality legal assistance. You will definitely need the services of a lawyer, as insurance companies aren’t particularly known for their tendency to be fair.
Like in all aspects of life, information is critical in car accident claims as well. The information you exchange with the at-fault party will greatly increase the chances of a successful car accident claim.
Mistakes After a Car Accident
The immediate moments after an accident are crucial for a car accident claim.
The immediate moments after an accident are also when most car accident victims make mistakes. The mistakes include:
- Leaving the accident scene
- Not seek medical attention
- Not exchanging information with the at-fault party or parties
- Apologizing or expressing regret for the accident
Each of the above-mentioned mistakes influences a car accident claim in its own way.
For instance, apologizing or expressing regret after an accident is considered a sign of admitting guilt.
Leaving the accident scene counts as a hit-and-run in some states.
The Information You Exchange with the At-Fault Party
Not exchanging information after a car accident is also considered a mistake.
Why is that?
Because you need details about the at-fault party to file a car accident claim.
Sure, the police may find the at-fault party if they flee from the scene. But car accident claims take a while. And the time spent to find the at-fault party, collect relevant information, and then process the claim can be long and tiring. Your injuries, mental health, or finances aren’t going to wait for all that to happen.
Exchanging information, on the other hand, gives you a head start for the accident claim. It gives you the leverage to start a car accident case right away.
The list below features the information that you should exchange/collect from the at-fault party/parties.
- Full name
- Valid telephone number or email ID
- The at-fault driver’s license plate number
- Proof of insurance
- Contact information of the insurance company
- The at-fault driver’s license information
- Vehicle registration number
- Information on whether the at-fault driver was transporting a passenger or searching for one (applicable when the at-fault driver works for a ridesharing company)
These vital pieces of information will help your lawyer in the car accident claim.
On top of sharing information with the at-fault driver, it’d be wise to reach out to eyewitnesses. Ask them about their willingness to testify, and get their contact information as well.
Now there are instances where you may have suffered severe injuries. In such scenarios, you may have been transported to the hospital in an ambulance. The points mentioned above would be impossible to carry out in this scenario.
So what’d you do?
Your best bet in such cases would be to visit the nearest police station and request a copy of the police report.
The police report contains all the information related to the accident. And on top of that, it was drafted by the officer who visited the accident scene and investigated it. It also contains observations from the officers themselves. A police report is considered valuable evidence by the insurance company.
Final Thoughts
A car accident claim is filled with complexities. Even the most minor mistake can turn the case against you.
You need all the help you can get for a successful car accident claim. One vital resource to boost the chances of success is to hire a car accident lawyer.
Also, don’t forget to have a chat with the at-fault party after the accident and collect all the necessary information.
