Many
of us have been through this before. We hit the car in front of us or to the
side, or another car hits us. It could be as minor as a small bump, or as major
as a t-bone or a multi-car crash. We then go to speak to the other people
involved, and particularly where the accident is nasty and people are injured,
we may call the police and possibly an ambulance. Where it is not so serious,
we approach the other person or people involved and, hoping things remain
civil, inevitably exchange insurance information. We then at some point might
contact our insurance companies to report the accident, and those companies
will then reach out to the other parties’ insurance companies to negotiate
payment for damages. Where things remain at a disagreement, a lawsuit may
occur. Backtracking, however, we approach the questions of whether or not we
should make any calls, and who we should call, in light of an accident. This is
particularly a tough question where the accident is seemingly minor and the
parties may think it unnecessary to involve anymore parties. In minor
accidents, like simple bumps or fender benders, there is less of a chance for
injury, and likely small damage to property.
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Always Exchange Information
After
an accident, it is necessary to exchange contact information and insurance
information with the other parties involved. There is a natural fear that one’s
insurance premiums will rise as a result of being in an accident. However,
insurance policies mandate that a driver report an accident to the companies,
and in the event a driver does not do this, they could lose their policy or
face some sort of penalties. It is also a mistake to think that things can be
sorted out with the other driver or drivers involved in the accident – getting
the insurance companies involved means following one’s policy, as well as
getting someone involved who will actually defend the driver’s interests, which
are directly the same interests of the insurance company that will have to pay
out on the driver’s behalf if anything is owed. A driver does
not want to agree with the other parties to work it out, only to find the other
driver or drivers go back on their word. Damages can be noticed later, and
injuries once latent can emerge and be proven a result of the accident. Thus it
is important to call the insurance company and address the matter head on
immediately.
Dial 9-1-1
Where
the accident is at least moderately serious, or any injury occurs, it may be
required that the parties involved call the police, depending on whether or not
the state they are in mandates a required call to law enforcement. Some states make this requirement
where injuries occur, and/or the property damage appears to be at a minimum
level. Absent even these circumstances, it may be prudent to call law
enforcement where other parties to the accident are belligerent, or are
uncooperative in exchanging contact and insurance information. It may be
necessary to call the police to ensure the proper exchange of information.
Furthermore, calling law enforcement will create an opportunity to get a record
of the accident, including interviews of witnesses and an inventory of
evidence, that could help in an accident claim.
West Palm Beach Personal Injury Attorney
Thus, while minor accidents may seem
so minor as to not require a call to anyone, drivers should think twice.
Calling best West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer
will almost always be a smarter move, and law enforcement involvement may also
be best in the end.
