Motor Vehicle Accident Injury - What to Do – Edmonton Motor Vehicle Injury Lawyer, Ranbir S. Thind
One of the most frequently-asked questions that personal injury lawyers are asked is, “What to do if I am injured in a car accident?” In truth, what to do list for if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident is very short. If you or someone else has been hit in a motor vehicle accident, remember to do the following:
Safety First
The most important thing is the health and safety of the people involved in accident and others in the area. If anyone involved in the accident is unconscious or has serious or life-threatening injuries, call 911. If possible, clear vehicles from roadways and intersections to avoid further crashes and injuries. Do not move anyone who was injured in the accident as you may make their injuries worse. In Alberta, you must report the accident to police if anyone was injured, or if any of the vehicles is not drivable, or if damage to all property and vehicles appears to be more than two thousand dollars. If you have any injuries at all, you shall see a doctor as soon as possible for your assessment and treatment.
Information Exchange
Once the health and safety of everyone at the scene has been secured, the next step is to collect and exchange information such as names, insurance and registration of all drivers involved. If a driver is unable to exchange information due to injury, exchange it with a passenger in the vehicle. In Alberta, you must report the accident to police if any driver cannot produce a driver’s license, insurance, or registration. Note the number of passengers and their location in vehicle, write down the date, time, location, and estimated speeds of all the involved vehicles. Note down the weather and road conditions, and the makes, models, license plate numbers, and model years of cars involved. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses, and the names, badge numbers, detachment or division, and telephone numbers of attending police officers. If a tow truck attends the scene, get the contact name, company, and contact information of the driver, as well as the address of where the vehicle is being taken. Take pictures of the cars, the scene, the road, injuries, insurance cards, drivers’ licenses, vehicle registrations, and any other important information.
At the scene of accident:
Inform Your Insurance Company
You must report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible to avoid any coverage issues, and to gain access to any accident benefits you may be entitled to. Provide them with all of the information and details you collected at the scene, preferably in written format.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Before you talk to anyone else about the accident and your injuries – especially representatives or employees of the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident – talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer. And even if you have no intention of making a claim, it is usually free to have a consultation with a personal injury lawyer and get answers to your questions.
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident in Alberta, we can help. Our motor vehicle accident related consultations are completely free and can be done over the phone or in person. If you are injured seriously and can’t attend our office, we will come to you. Protect your rights, get answers, and get help by calling us today at 780.784.1295 or email us at [email protected] to set up a free initial consultation. At Ranbir S. Thind law office, our mission is your success.
- Safety first
- Information Exchange
- Inform your own insurance company
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer
Safety First
The most important thing is the health and safety of the people involved in accident and others in the area. If anyone involved in the accident is unconscious or has serious or life-threatening injuries, call 911. If possible, clear vehicles from roadways and intersections to avoid further crashes and injuries. Do not move anyone who was injured in the accident as you may make their injuries worse. In Alberta, you must report the accident to police if anyone was injured, or if any of the vehicles is not drivable, or if damage to all property and vehicles appears to be more than two thousand dollars. If you have any injuries at all, you shall see a doctor as soon as possible for your assessment and treatment.
Information Exchange
Once the health and safety of everyone at the scene has been secured, the next step is to collect and exchange information such as names, insurance and registration of all drivers involved. If a driver is unable to exchange information due to injury, exchange it with a passenger in the vehicle. In Alberta, you must report the accident to police if any driver cannot produce a driver’s license, insurance, or registration. Note the number of passengers and their location in vehicle, write down the date, time, location, and estimated speeds of all the involved vehicles. Note down the weather and road conditions, and the makes, models, license plate numbers, and model years of cars involved. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses, and the names, badge numbers, detachment or division, and telephone numbers of attending police officers. If a tow truck attends the scene, get the contact name, company, and contact information of the driver, as well as the address of where the vehicle is being taken. Take pictures of the cars, the scene, the road, injuries, insurance cards, drivers’ licenses, vehicle registrations, and any other important information.
At the scene of accident:
- Don’t admit fault or apologize
- Don’t pay or promise to pay for any damages
- Don’t pretend that the collision never happened or agree with anyone not to get insurance involved
- Don’t accept any money or discuss any settlement
Inform Your Insurance Company
You must report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible to avoid any coverage issues, and to gain access to any accident benefits you may be entitled to. Provide them with all of the information and details you collected at the scene, preferably in written format.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Before you talk to anyone else about the accident and your injuries – especially representatives or employees of the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident – talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer. And even if you have no intention of making a claim, it is usually free to have a consultation with a personal injury lawyer and get answers to your questions.
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident in Alberta, we can help. Our motor vehicle accident related consultations are completely free and can be done over the phone or in person. If you are injured seriously and can’t attend our office, we will come to you. Protect your rights, get answers, and get help by calling us today at 780.784.1295 or email us at [email protected] to set up a free initial consultation. At Ranbir S. Thind law office, our mission is your success.