WHAT TO DO IN AN ACCIDENT

When there is an accident, often people are confused as to what to do. In general, these instructions should provide you with guidance.

1. If you or anyone else is injured, call for medical help immediately. Nothing is more important than your health and safety. If there is any reason to believe you may be injured, you should seek medical attention immediately. Sometimes accident victims do not realize they are injured until later because of the shock of the event and the adrenaline rush.

2. Call the police. Often times the person who caused the accident may ask you to not call the police for fear of getting a ticket, but not calling the police could have serious negative effects on your case. Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and driver's license numbers of everyone involved in the accident, including the insurance company name and policy number.

3. Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses. Also, take photographs if you have a camera or a camera phone.

4. Contact your insurance carrier. You may have provisions that can help pay for your medical expenses, but you may not be able to receive these if you do not contact your insurance carrier right away.

5. Retain a lawyer you can trust. Insurance adjusters have different guidelines when dealing with lawyers than when dealing with you. You need a personal injury attorney who fights for you.