I was in a car accident and this is what I learned
Guest post by Kimber Lubberts
Recently I was involved in a minor car accident. Having been a driver for 6 years, this was my first accident. It sucked. However, it was definitely a learning experience. So, without going into details of the actual collision, here is what I learned.
1. The impact from hitting another car will daze you. As much as you can, take stock of what just happened. Try and recall small details like how fast you were going, what traffic signals were present, what you saw immediately before the collision. These details will come in handy.
2. You have to call the police. My accident was minor. The other driver and I have minimum injuries, all from the airbags. However, neither car was driveable. When you call 911 to report an accident, they will ask you this. If the cars are able to be driven then you have to bring them to the collision report center which I had no idea even existed. In this case, we waited for the police.
3. Your insurance card has instructions on it! This was a wonderful thing to learn, because as this was my first accident, I was in shock had no idea what to do. My insurance card instructed me to call 911. Also, exchange information with the other driver involved. And you have to call your insurance provider. Any accident must be reported to your insurance provider, they will report the incident and an adjuster will call you.
4. Once the police arrive you will be asked to give him or her your information. Registration, driver’s licence, insurance. You will also be asked to fill out a statement. You do not HAVE to do this. You can ask to fill it out a later time, or not fill it out at all. If you do fill out your statement, photocopy it before you hand it in. You can even have a paralegal check it out before you hand it in as well.
5. Take photos. Whether you were at fault or not, it is helpful to have photo evidence of what happened. If you go to court over your accident, having these photos will help your paralegal.
6. Take note of any injuries. The police will ask you, your insurance broker will ask you, and so will your insurance adjuster. It’s also good to note where your were injured if for some reason symptoms arise later as a result of the collision.
7. If you receive a ticket, call a paralegal. Any respectable paralegal will offer free consultations, and they will help you determine what to do next.
Thankfully my accident was minor, and I can chalk it up to (hopefully) a one time thing, but also a learning experience. Every ticket is fight able. Even if you just want to delay it, or get more information, that is your right.
Every situation is different. Remember you have a right to fight your ticket. At Bulwark Legal Services we provide free consultations. You can go to our website and send us a copy of your ticket. We will help you decide the right course of action to take.
