Depending on where you are, there will be different laws regarding how you should handle the aftermath of a wreck. Because the shoulder of a freeway is a very dangerous place to be, many states will ask that you pull to the next exit if you’re in an accident on the freeway. This is especially true if no one was injured and the cars are still drivable. However, other states will want you to remain at the site of the accident. If you are unsure of the laws, always call the authorities following a wreck to make sure that you are doing the right thing.
Reporting a Wreck
When you call in to report an accident, ask whether or not you should wait for a police officer to arrive at the scene. Some states will require that you file a report about the accident and in those instances you must wait until a police officer to arrives. In other states, this will depend on the wreck. Again, the only way to find out is to call the police and to ask them what you’re supposed to do.
Whether or not it’s required, it’s best to report an accident as soon as possible. This means that there is some sort of documentation that the wreck occurred which may help your case in the future, should you decide to call a motor vehicle accident lawyer and sue for damages.
Insurance
Whether or not you call your insurance company right away is up to you, but there are situations where you may want to contact an attorney first. For example, if it is obvious that the driver that hit you was negligent in some way, you may want to contact an attorney first.
Some examples of driver negligence include:
- The driver was on a cell phone
- The driver was drunk
- The driver was not paying attention to the road
- The driver ran a stop sign
These are all situations where you may want to have a car accident lawyer prepare a lawsuit for you, therefore it may be advisable to talk to them first about how to deal with your insurance company. Your lawyer will be able to tell you how to increase the chances that the insurance company will pay your claim. If you work with an attorney following a car accident, it is always best to go through them first.
