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Gather all the facts you can after a vehicle crash

On Behalf of | Feb 8, 2019 | Firm News

Perhaps you are the victim of a fender-bender at an intersection in Wilmington. The good news is that you do not seem to have any injuries.

After a minor traffic accident, you are your own best private investigator. Here are five steps to take in gathering information about the crash.

1. Call the police

Even when an accident is minor, you should call the police and report the incident. When an officer arrives, he or she will prepare a report. Ask for a copy to share with your attorney.

2. Exchange insurance information

While you wait for the police to arrive, you can exchange insurance information with the other driver. Do not engage in small talk and do not venture an opinion about the cause of the collision. You do not want to say something that could be used against you in a battle among insurance companies.

3. Jot down details

If you are able to do so, write down details about the accident: which direction you were traveling, which direction the other car was traveling, what time the crash occurred and what the weather conditions were at the time.

4. Take photos

Use your cellphone to take pictures of the damage to your vehicle from different angles. Take a picture of the license plate of the other vehicle. Snap a photo of the driver if you can, as well as any witnesses to the crash. Do not forget to obtain contact information for both driver and witnesses.

5. Seek medical attention

Your final responsibility following a car crash is to go to the doctor as soon as possible after the incident, even if you feel well. There could be an underlying condition, such as a head or back injury, that does not show up right away. The doctor you see will prepare a medical report, which will tie any injuries you might have directly to the car crash. This will be very helpful when the time comes for you to file an insurance claim. The medical report will be an important item to add to the many accident details you have already gathered.

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