What You Should Do If You're in a Philadelphia Car Accident
If you're in a Philadelphia car accident, you'll be physically and emotionally shaken. You or your passengers may have suffered serious personal injuries. Your vehicle may be damaged. It can be hard to keep your head and know what to do to protect yourself after a car accident.
Experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyers suggest taking the following steps to protect your rights when you are involved in any car accident, but especially when personal injuries occur.
1. Emergency kit. Keep an emergency kit in your car that contains: cell phone, pen and paper, disposable camera (unless your cell phone has a camera), flashlight, warning triangles or flares, emergency medical and allergy information, contact info and insurance card.
2. Stay safe. When Philadelphia auto accidents are minor and do not involve serious personal injuries, cars should be moved to the side of the road. If cars cannot be moved, set warning triangles, return to your vehicle, keep your safety belt buckled and activate hazard lights.
3. Information exchange. Exchange information with other drivers involved, including name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver's license number, license plate number and the contact information of any passengers.
4. Don't volunteer. Be polite and courteous to police and the other driver but do not say that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
5. Document. Write down a description of each car including year, make, model, color and accident damage. Sketch the scene indicating vehicle locations and travel paths. Note street names, traffic signals and roadway hazards. Take pictures of the scene and vehicle damage.
6. Witnesses. Get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident. When accident accounts conflict, Philadelphia personal injury attorneys can use eyewitness testimony to support your version of what happened.
7. Accident report. File a state vehicle accident report even if police do not require one. Accident reports facilitate insurance payments.
8. Protect yourself. If you suffer serious personal injuries, contact a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer to protect your rights.
