For most people, a lawsuit of any kind is a rarity. You might head into court once in a blue moon to contest a traffic ticket, but for many people a sustained legal battle isn’t an experience to which they’re accustomed. Any experienced personal injury claim lawyer, on the other hand, will have spent more than enough time in court to make up for their client in the case of a serious motor vehicle accident. A personal injury claim lawyer knows the tribulations of car accident cases; they can be very difficult processes, especially for a car accident victim. But, no matter how difficult the trial is for a personal injury claim lawyer, it can hardly compare to the fury and fright of the accident itself. And, like a personal injury trial, many people who experience an injurious, severe automotive accident have never been in one before, and, as such, might not know what to do.
Step-by-Step Guide after Your Car Accident
Since serious car accidents are jarring, to put it mildly, and no one can know with certainty how they’ll react to one, it can help to have a set reference that you can use after an accident. Fortunately, personal injury claim lawyers have collaborated with Ontario government agencies to put together just such a set of guidelines. When you’re flustered after a motor vehicle collision, follow these steps:
- Step 1
- Stop driving. Driving away from the scene of an accident is a serious offense that can open you up to criminal prosecution.
- Step 2
- If anyone is injured and the total amount of damage to all vehicles involved is greater than $1,000, or you believe another driver involved may be guilty of a criminal offense (e.g. drinking and driving), you are legally required to inform the police of the accident. However, a personal injury claim lawyer will recommend that you call the police no matter the circumstances of the accident.
- Step 3
- Before moving your car, and only if it is safe to do so, use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene. Then, if your vehicle is still drivable, move your car out of traffic.
- Step 4
- Take down the information of the other drivers and vehicles involved, including:
- Names, addresses, phone numbers, and driver’s license numbers.
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses (if they are willing to provide this information);
- License plate numbers; and
- Insurance information.
- Step 5
- Using an accident worksheet, jot down important information about the scene of the accident, like weather conditions, road conditions, number of passengers, etc.
- Step 6
- Report the accident to your insurer so you can begin the car accident insurance claim process.
These steps are straightforward enough, but if you sustained any injuries in the accident, it might not be so simple. If that’s the case, you should consider contacting a Toronto personal injury lawyer after seeking medical attention. An experienced Sokoloff personal injury lawyer can get you valuable compensation, so call for a free consultation posthaste.
Source:
https://www.fsco.gov.on.ca/en/auto/brochures/Pages/brochure_accidents.aspx