Being in a car accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences of a lifetime. If you have recently experienced that traumatic event in the Fort Collins area, an auto accident attorney in Fort Collins is here to help. First, let’s go over some things to think about when you have the unfortunate experience of having an accident.
Think Safety First
Emotions run high and an overwhelming sense of panic can take over after an accident. As best you can, allow yourself to calm down and think safety first. Don’t try to settle or solve anything right at that moment. If the accident is on the minor side, have the cars move over out of traffic. The best way to discuss the situation is in a safe place.
While emotions tend to run high and it can be easy to forget the simplest things. Remember to turn your hazard lights on, and shift into park. Lastly, before beginning any conversations turn off your vehicle! Yes, believe it or not, people often forget to do that in the midst of an accident.
Work on Getting Help
Once you have your car situated and in a safe place, it is time to measure any injuries at hand. If injuries are suspected, don’t move the injured, or try to treat anything. The best thing to do is to establish help by calling for an ambulance and police. It is always best to have the police on the scene even if it is a minor accident. They can be a good third-party middleman, and provide a police report which is very important to a more successful claim process.
Avidly Collect Information
Even in a minor accident, it could be easy to forget what information to collect. In fact, it’s a smart idea to create a checklist of what information to ask for and leave it in your car. The obvious pieces of information of course are always the names of the drivers and the passengers, including their contact information.
If possible, remember to gather the information on all of the eyewitnesses. Take note of the accident location. If possible gather the address of the accident. Swiftly take photos of the cars, and the damage done. Then with those photos, include a written vehicle description which would be the year, make, and model.
A common thing to forget is the police officer’s names and their badge number. This is helpful to have in the event that you might have to contact them for clarification. Time to file a claim be sure to gather the insurance company information, and policy numbers.
Reach Out to Roadside Assistance
If your car is undrivable or you are not sure of its ability, then you might want to call for roadside assistance. This service can also be tied to your insurance company depending upon your policy.
An auto accident can have life-altering consequences. In addition, the process of figuring out how to handle an accident can be an all-consuming affair. Complications between insurance companies and those involved can seem unending. An auto accident attorney in Fort Collins can be a huge weight off your shoulders, as they do all the heavy lifting.