Following are three commonly asked questions by drivers who are involved in car accidents. Please note that the following information is general in nature. Each state and municipality has its own laws. As soon as possible, confer with a reputable auto accident lawyer or a personal injury attorney (in the case of injuries) for legal advice relevant to your situation.
Question: Should I or do I have to stop if Im involved in an auto accident?
Answer: Any car accident attorney will tell you that in most cases you are required to stop if youre involved in an auto accident. If you leave the scene, you can face severe criminal charges ” even if the accident is not your fault.
Note: If you dont feel safe stopping when youre involved in an auto accident, drive to a well lit, public space to call and/or wait for authorities before dealing with the other driver. If you feel that youll face any criminal charges as a result of this, consult a local, qualified car accident attorney.
Question: What information should I or do I have to exchange with the other driver if Im in an auto accident?
Answer: Most car accident attorneys advise that you provide/exchange insurance information. In addition to this, you should also exchange drivers license information, and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle you or they are driving (if its not your or their car).
Question: What do I do if there are injuries as a result of a car accident?
Answer: Obviously, one of the first things to do is to call 911 emergency services. An experienced dispatcher will usually handle it from there. More times than not you will not have to make separate phone calls to the police, fire department, hospital or any other emergency services.
Two calls you may need to make as soon as possible after a car accident are to an auto accident attorney (for obvious reasons) and/or a personal injury lawyer (if there are injuries). A personal injury attorney can help you recover losses due to injuries, missed time from work and any ongoing medical treatments you may need.
