Knowing what to do right after a car accident is critical. There are specific steps you should take and important pieces of information that you should record immediately that will help your insurance claim(s). Failure to take these steps may harm your insurance claim(s).
Below is a list of those steps which you can print, store in your vehicle and follow immediately after an accident. This list has been compiled over years of experience helping car accident victims and we hope that it helps you now and in the future.
- Assess the situation for your immediate safety
- Move to a safe location but stay at the scene
- Check yourself and others to determine if there are injuries
- Call 911 to report the accident and request that a police officer be sent
- Follow any instructions given by the 911 operator, emergency personnel or police
- Exchange information with the other drivers
- Take lots of pictures, including:
- Accident scene
- Vehicles and property damage
- Injuries
- Driver’s licenses, proof of insurance cards and license plates
- Talk to all witnesses and get their contact information
- Inform your insurance company of the accident
- Request a tow through your insurance company
- Get immediate medical treatment if you suffered any injuries
- Promptly follow all of the instructions given by your medical providers
- Avoid time gaps in medical treatment
- Get a property damage valuation(s)
- Use caution in discussing the incident and your medical condition (especially on social media!!!)
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company
- Report the accident to the DMV within 72 hours if required: (http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Forms/DMV/32fill.pdf)
- Consider hiring an attorney early in the process
Remember, please print off this list and have it in your car. If you need legal assistance and would like to speak to an attorney about your accident, please call us at: (503) 743-0361 or send us a message here.
