Anyone who has ever been a part of a car accident will know how stressful and overwhelming this can be. The information on how to proceed in case of an accident in Phoenix can be beneficial in order to avoid making mistakes, to have legal recourse and to obtain the compensation that is legally yours. The following are the measures that should be observed in the event that one is involved in a driving accident lawyers in Phoenix.
Document the Scene
If the vehicle is still operable and everyone inside is not injured, then it is safe to move off the car to a different lane or shoulder of the road. In case of any incidence of injuries, first of all, dial 911 and in the case of any serious risks to the lives of such individuals, the injured persons should not be moved.
Use your cell phone to take photos of:
– A significant destruction of all the cars that were involved in the accident.
– Examples include the skid marks on the road and debris of different kinds on the surface of the road.
– Names and addresses of the witnesses
– Any injuries to the personnel, patients, or any other parties involved
In my opinion the more evidence you document the better for fault finding and or claiming of damages at a later date.
Exchange Information
It is mandatory in Arizona that one has to give out his or her identification including name and address, registration of the car and insurance details to the other persons involved in the incident. As you get the same information from them. In the case of injuries or extensive car damage, ask for his or her driver’s license number.
If the owner of the vehicle is different from the driver, always try to obtain identification information about both people. Also, take note of the make, model, color, license plate number, and the vehicle identification number of vehicles that are involved in the accident.
File a Report
Amateur traffic accidents that include only property damage require the driver to submit an Accident Report Form to the Arizona DOT within 15 days.
For all the cases where there were injuries, severe damages to the vehicles or the driver was under the influence of alcohol, an operator has to call the police to report the accident. Remember to obtain a copy of the police report to pass to your insurance company for further processing of the claim.
Notify Your Insurance Company
It is advisable to inform your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. An insurance adjuster will then explain the steps of filing the claim. Make sure to have your policy number, details of the accident, police report case number in case of one, and photos to share to them. Your insurance must provide all the evidence needed to prove the extent of the damages and injuries according to your policy coverage.
Get Medical Attention
You do not necessarily have to fall down and break your bones to consider seeing a doctor after an accident. Pains and headaches that are characteristic of whiplash, concussions and other issues, however, take their time to manifest themselves. A medical examination will also provide evidence in ascertaining the physical suffering that you are likely to need for compensation through the insurance companies or your subsequent medical treatment.
Consult an Attorney
In cases where there are serious accidents with significant damage to the automobiles, casualties or deaths, seek advice from a competent Phoenix car accident lawyer. They will assist in advising on the type of claims to process, handling insurance company matters, deciding on whether you lost income, and whether to file a lawsuit to seek higher compensation.
Actually, by following the above-stated steps one can make it easy to deal with the repercussions of a Phoenix auto accident and at the same time, avoid being exploited. Therefore, the paper concludes that being informed and being quick in action is what would help one secure a fair compensation. Consult with an attorney to know your choices when an accident occurs and involves driving a car leading to damage, or death.