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WHAT
TO DO WHEN INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT
1.
If injuries are sustained in the accident, call a police officer
and demand that a report be taken. If a report is not requested,
the police will not prepare a report. This will be detrimental to
your case.
2. Write down the license plate number of all other vehicles which
were involved in the accident. Write down the license plate
numbers yourself! Do not allow anyone else to write down the
numbers for you.
3. If involved in a hit-and-run accident where you cannot identify
the other vehicle by means of a license plate number, your
insurance policy requires that a report is filed with the local
police agency within 24 hours of the accident. If you do not
comply with this requirement, you may not be able to make an
uninsured motorist claim against your insurance company. DO NOT
allow the police officer at the front desk to talk you out of
making a report.
4. Write down the name, address, and driver's license number of
the drivers of all other vehicles which were involved in the
accident.
5. Write down the names and addresses of all witnesses who
observed the accident.
6. Take numerous photographs of the property damage to your
vehicle and any visible injuries to your body. Remember, one
picture is worth a thousand words.
7. If the property damage is in excess of $500 or there are personal injuries, the law requires that you file an SR1 form with the DMV
within ten days.
8. Call your insurance company and report the accident as soon as
possible.
9. If you have any physical complaints which relate to the
accident, go to a hospital emergency room immediately so that the
injuries can be treated and documented. If the complaints
continue, see your private physician.
10. Do not admit fault, discuss opinions, or offer information
about the accident to the other drivers, their attorneys, or to an
insurance company representative. Although you may feel that you
are to blame, further investigation may prove differently.
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