If you are involved in an automobile accident, knowing how to file a claim can make a big difference in getting the results you deserve. One of the most important aspects of filing a car accident claim is gathering information and reporting it to your insurance company.
Directly after a car accident, check whether anyone has been injured and make a call to 911 if anyone requires immediate medical attention. Next, you must assess the damage caused by the accident. Write down the details of the damage and any other information you believe to be relevant. Try to keep calm during this process. You will need a level head when reporting the accident.
When you know the details of the damage, call the police and tell them what happened. Do not give any details about how the accident occurred and never admit that you are at fault.
When to contact your NJ auto accident lawyer
After calling the police, it is a good idea to call an experienced automobile accident attorney. An attorney can advise you of what to do and what to say before you talk to your insurance representative.
While you are waiting for the police to arrive, you can gather further information, including the following details of everyone involved in the accident:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance company and policy number
You will also want to get the make, model, year and license plate number of each vehicle in the accident. Do not talk about the accident with anyone else involved. Answer only the questions posed to you by the police after they arrive.
After filing a police report and gathering all of the information, call your insurance company. However, do not give them any details of how the accident happened and do not admit fault or liability without legal counsel.