Have you suffered an auto accident? If you take the right steps, then you can ensure you will get through any necessary legal action smoothly and efficiently. You'll need to contact an auto accident lawyer to help you out, but first you can begin collecting all the information you can.
You'll want information from everyone involved in the accident. This includes people in your car, in the other car, and anyone who witnessed the accident. In addition, you should take note of the officers who attended the accident. Record their badge numbers so you know who will file the report. Ask them how long you have to wait before you can get a copy of the police report, and where you should pick it up.
One of the best things you can do, is to write down everything you remember about the accident as soon as possible. It becomes difficult to remember specific details as time goes on. Record the date and exact time of the accident. Write down exactly how the accident happened, what the weather conditions were, or any other variables involved in the event. Were you making a left hand turn? Was the other driver speeding, talking on the cell phone, or doing anything else you remember? Write it all down.
In addition to writing down the details of the accident, consider drawing a diagram. This will help your car accident attorney understand precisely what occurred. Use arrows and simple shapes to draw the diagram. The purpose isn't artistic but informational. An accurate diagram will help your car or motorcycle accident attorney understand the details as well as you. This will give him the ability to accurately assess the case and recommend the best course of action.
A good diagram will represent the different phases of an accident. Three separate diagrams will work best. The first diagram should show where each car, person, or obstacle was prior to the accident. The second should show, as accurately as possible, where everything was as the accident occurred.
The final diagram should depict the final outcome of the accident: it should show where each vehicle ended up, and where any skid marks were. Pictures are good to have too. Taking pictures of the vehicles, skid marks, and location is very helpful, especially if you think to do it right after the accident.
One final point to remember is that you need not admit any wrongdoing at the scene. You don't have to offer to pay for damage to the other person's car, even if you feel like you should. Instead, you should consult with an auto accident lawyer first. This doesn't mean you should refuse to sign a ticket given to you by the attending police officers. Signing a ticket isn't the same as an admission of guilt. If you believe the ticket was unwarranted then it is well within your rights to challenge its validity in court.
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