What to Do if You Are Involved in an Accident:
The most important thing is your health. Call 911, if needed. If necessary, go to the emergency room or follow up with your regular doctor. Even if you are not at fault, you should bill all treatment through your regular health insurance, if you are covered until the responsible party pays in full. In some cases your health insurance may expect to be paid back out of any award or settlement.
Pay close attention to the details of how the accident occurred and write down those details; as time passes, we tend to forget important parts of events, writing things down will help prevent this.
Try to find out who was responsible for causing the accident or injury. If you are able, you should call the police and request that a report be made when you are involved in an accident that was someone else’s fault. If the police do not do so, you should obtain the contact information for everyone involved and their insurance companies as well as the names and contact information of any witnesses.
Talk to your insurance agent. After an accident, review your own insurance policy and talk to your insurance company or agent. You may be entitled to payments for medical bills (“med pay coverage”) and your own car insurance may apply if the other driver does not have insurance or if there is not enough insurance (“uninsured and underinsured motorists” coverage). In Arizona the law prevents insurance companies from raises rates on you if the collision was not your fault.
Always report the accident to the other person’s insurance company. Always be polite and cooperative when reporting the accident, but remember that you do not need to give a recorded statement nor should you talk about your injuries until you are released from your doctor’s care.
Document your injuries and expenses. Keep track of any expenses you incur, including bills and receipts, and be sure to document any time lost from work due to the accident. Take photographs of the vehicles or the accident scene, as well as your own injuries, if applicable.
And if you think you need legal advice, contact an attorney right away. Call Bache & Lynch today at (520) 293-5300!