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After an Auto Accident |
Written by lloyd robles
Thursday, 03 July 2008
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One of the most frightening moments in a person's life is the moment of impact during an automobile accident. Sometimes even scarier are the minutes immediately following the accident; that eerie silence and deafening sound of blood pounding inside your own head, though chaos and noise may surround the scene; a flood of emotions can render many accident victims motionless and impaired, even if not physically impaired by injury. It can be extremely helpful to have an outlined plan, of what to do when and how, should an accident occur. The first thing, though it sounds and is extremely difficult, is to try and remain calm. Panic can only lead to more panic from driver and passenger, and panic is not helpful. An assessment of all accident victims in the vehicle should be made. Is everyone conscious? Are any visible injuries present? Hopefully a witness has already alerted police, and emergency vehicles are in transit, soon to arrive at the scene. If not, and you can reach it, it is always an excellent idea to use your cellular phone and contact 911. Calmly let them know the situation within the vehicle, any noticeable injuries, and of course the whereabouts of the accident. If at all possible, driver and passenger should safely exit their damaged vehicle, after, if able, moving the vehicle to a less precarious position in the roadway; if fuel is issuing from the tank, exit and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in case of fire until safety crews are on the scene. It is essential to file an accident report with the police officer once he or she arrives. Remember to use restraint and only discuss the details of the accident with the police officer and your insurance agent. Officers will try and solicit more information and reliable eyewitness testimony from bystanders. This is not your concern. Limit conversations, make sure you and your loved ones are safe, and admit no fault in the accident. It is the responsibility of the police investigation to find fault and issue violations; let them do their job. Make sure and gather information about all individuals involved in the accident (if physically able). Names, addresses, telephone numbers, license plate numbers, makes and models of automobiles, as well as insurance company and VIN information should be retrieved. At this time, or earlier, you should contact your insurance company. Depending on the provider, they may send out an agent immediately to talk to police and determine damages. As soon as possible, in order to protect yourself and loved ones, you should contact a lawyer. Just as a police officer's job is to gather facts in order to protect accident victims, similarly, your lawyer will investigate and insure your rights are protected. Driving with skill and safety is not always enough; preparedness for accident situations, should they occur, is essential. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
About The Author:
Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com
Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com
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