Who’s At Fault in a Car Accident? A Guide to Liability in Ohio
Posted in: Car Accidents
KNR Legal Blog
Convenient Motor Vehicle Accident Checklist: Personal Injury Attorneys Outline the Five Most Important Steps Following an Accident
Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and the decisions you make after a crash can make a big impact on your future. The initial reaction is often panic and uncertainty, so staying calm and thinking clearly can be difficult. Our Ohio personal injury attorneys have created a five-step checklist to keep with you in the unfortunate event you’re involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident.
1. Stay Calm & Check for Injuries
Remaining calm following a crash may seem like an obvious thing to do, but oftentimes it’s difficult to think clearly and rationally. Therefore, it’s critical to remain composed, take a deep breath, and check to see if you or anyone else is injured.
2. Call 9-1-1
Once you’ve checked for injuries, immediately call 9-1-1 to request medical assistance (if required) and to notify local authorities of the accident. If no injuries are present and there’s only property damage, you may not need to call the police, but it’s often a good idea to err on the side of caution.
Injuries aren’t always present the moment a crash happens. Many times, your adrenaline is rushing and your tolerance for pain is increased. Combined with the confusion and panic that sets in, you may not be aware of an injury. If you have a valid police report on hand, it can prove to be extremely beneficial in ensuring you get the compensation in which you’re entitled.
3. Get the Other Driver’s & Any Witness’ Information
When you’re in an automobile accident, it’s important to get the other driver’s information as you’ll need it when you file your auto accident insurance claim and it would be valuable if you decide to pursue a personal injury case. Be sure to get the other driver’s name, license plate number, and insurance information. You’ll also want to gather contact information from as many witnesses as possible. However, if you are injured, don’t do anything that might cause you additional physical harm. For more information regarding witnesses and what information to gather, click here.
4. Call an Attorney
A plaintiff-side personal injury attorney can help you determine the best route to pursue damages for your accident (e.g., a liability claim, personal injury lawsuit, etc.). The attorneys at Kisling, Nestico & Redick focus in auto accident cases and are ready to fight on your behalf. Contact us today to ensure you get the benefits you deserve at 1-800-HURT-NOW.
5. Call your Insurance Agent
Once you’ve contacted a plaintiff-side personal injury attorney, call your insurance agent. Most car insurance companies have a specific timeframe in which accidents must be reported. You may also want to call the other driver’s insurance company if you’ll be filing a liability claim. If the other driver caused the wreck, you can recover damages from his or her liability coverage. This is another area where having spoken with an attorney could provide useful. They may instruct you not to contact either insurance company on your own. However, if you do, exercise caution as insurance companies may attempt to say you were at-fault for the accident. If you’re unsure how to answer specific questions, speak to your attorney first and never settle your car accident claim without first speaking to a legal representative.