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Any car accident is a frightening experience, whether it’s just a slight bump or one where you or another person suffers an injury. As a responsible driver you should always be prepared for such an event by having your insurance details to hand, and if necessary call the police. A car accident injury claim will be easier to process if you are able to write down details at the scene.
Always have a pen and notepad in the car to note such things as weather conditions, whether the other person was using his/her indicator, were they talking on a mobile phone, was it light or dark, time of the accident and whether the other driver or passengers were injured. Also make a note of the other vehicle i.e., model, colour, whether it was a company car and the estimated speed at the time of the accident.
If you’re a passenger in a car involved in an accident, you’re entitled to make a personal injury claim against the insurance company of the person who was responsible for the accident. Taking the names and addresses of all those involved, plus those of any witnesses, will make your claim easier to process.
If possible it’s always a good idea to have a camera in the car to take photos of the accident damage, the road conditions etc. If you are badly injured at the time of the accident, get someone to revisit the scene and take down as much information as they can on your behalf. Every little detail can be of enormous importance in a car accident injury claim.
So, with all these things in mind, make sure you:
1. Fill out an accident report with the police
2. Limit your discussion about the accident, and talk in detail only to the police and your insurance agent
3. Take down model, year, colour and any damage incurred by the other vehicle, plus insurance company details and whether it’s privately owned or a company car
4. If possible call your insurance company whilst still at the scene of the accident. A police officer will be able to give more accurate descriptions of the scene at the time.
5. Do not admit any liability at the scene
6. Always carry a card containing details of allergies of medical conditions which may require special attention
Although it is a traumatic experience, if at all possible try to remain calm in order to ensure you provide enough evidence to make the processing of your car accident injury claim a straightforward process.
A car accident injury claim may involve a whiplash injury, but don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a minor inconvenience. Whiplash injury can involve months, if not years, of medication and painful treatments. It’s important to realize that any injury sustained in a car accident should be fully investigated and logged at the time of the incident, so you’ll be given the best options with regard to compensation at a later date.