What To Do After A Car Collision Resulting In Injury

Should You Be Calling The Police After A Car Collision Regardless Of The Level Of Damage And Injury? What Good Does That Do For A Potential Future Claim?

If you are involved in a collision where there are injuries, you should always try to call the police. Sometimes they will not be able to get there and, as a consequence, you won’t get a report made out.

Some steps you can take in the event that police don’t arrive on the scene are…

• Take photographs of the car damages for both vehicles;
• Take down the names and numbers of any witnesses;
• Take down the name, address, phone number, and insurance information of the person who caused the collision

Ideally, you will have the opportunity to give all of this information to the police when they do arrive.

Another benefit of calling the police is that they will take a statement from the other party to the collision which will be documented in the event that that party tries to change their story at a later date. Having all of this documented will be in your best interest, so it is always a good idea to call the police.

Should You Ever Speak With The Other Party At The Accident Scene? What Information Is Safe Or Mandatory To Share?

There is an obligation to exchange insurance information with the other party at the accident scene.

While it is not mandatory, it is always a good idea to demonstrate concern for the well-being of the other person by asking if they are okay. This can lead to them disclosing what may have caused the collision, such as whether they were going too fast, were distracted by the kids in the backseat, or looking for an address.

Sometimes being courteous will result in the other person divulging information they may not otherwise share. Just keep in mind that it is not a good idea for you to disclose any information about what you were doing at the time of the crash or any previous back or neck injuries.

What Other Information And Evidence On The Scene Of The Accident Is Important For The Injured Party To Record Or Preserve If They Can?

It is a really good idea to take photographs of all involved vehicles, from different angles. If possible, get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the collision.

These are not things often at the forefront of your mind when you have just been involved in a collision, but once the adrenaline rush and disorientation calms, these are good things to try to preserve at the scene if you are able to do so. These two things can be very helpful as you go forward.

What Information Is Safe To Share With The Hospital Who’s Treating My Injuries? Can Anything I Say Be Used Against Me By The Insurance Company?

Anything that you say in the emergency room that is not true can be used against you at a later time. Being as forthcoming and thorough as possible when speaking with medical staff can go a long way in ensuring an accurate testimony of your injuries.

These are some tips for reporting injuries to emergency room staff after a car collision:

• Detail all the areas of your body that were impacted;
• Start at the top of your head and work down to the bottom of your feet;
• Report all injuries, however minor, including cuts, bruises, and aches;
• Give a description of what happened to the best of your recollection;
• Indicate what parts of your body made contact with the dashboard, windshield, driver side window, or door frame.

Keep in mind that, due to adrenaline, you may not be feeling all of your injuries immediately following the collision. Sometimes you won’t feel injuries until 24 to 72 hours after the collision.

This is why we advise you to describe all areas of impact even if you don’t feel significant pain in those areas at the time. Any information you can provide will be helpful.

Occasionally, you’ll be asked about the speed of the vehicles involved. If you know the speed or have an appreciation of how fast the other vehicle was going, that’s fine. Try not to exaggerate the speed.

Oftentimes, if you’re the victim of a rear-end collision and you hear a loud bang that goes along with that, there’s going to be a presumption that the person was driving at a high rate of speed and that may or may not be the case. You should just give your best estimate.

Finally, you should also follow up with your primary care doctor in the days or weeks after the ER visit. For more information on Auto Accident Cases in Nebraska, an initial consultation is your next best step.