When you head out on the road, a motor vehicle accident is the last thing you want to happen. However, if you fall victim to a motor vehicle accident on account of another driver’s negligence, you do not want to do anything to jeopardize receiving full compensation for your injuries and damages.
The first thing you want to do is address the immediate medical needs of yourself and others. If you, a friend or family member are able, get the names and contact information from potential witnesses and take photographs of the scene and vehicle damage. Responding officers will likely want statements. Following the incident, be sure to contact the responding agency and request copies of all reports, 911 calls, dash cam video, body cam video, photographs, statements and any other evidence that may have been gathered from the scene of the accident. Depending on the location, street camera surveillance may be available as well. Some of this evidence, especially body cam video, may be discarded shortly after the accident. Therefore, it is critical you request this information promptly. In reviewing the reports and your statement, if you believe there are errors or omissions, bring this to the attention of the responsible agency as soon as possible.
Contacting your insurance company promptly is important as well. Immediately review your most recent insurance declarations. If you have what is referred to as underinsured or uninsured motor vehicle coverage (UIM/UM), your insurance company may provide coverage for injuries and damages you sustained as part of the accident if the negligent party has insufficient insurance coverage or no coverage at all. Your insurance company will also need to be notified to address the property damage to your motor vehicle.
You will also most likely be contacted soon after the collision by the other driver’s insurer. His or her company will likely want to abruptly resolve matters with you for an amount that may be far less than the true value of your loss. If your accident occurred in the State of Wisconsin, you have 3 years from the date of the accident to bring a lawsuit. Therefore, there is no immediate need to settle your claim within days or weeks of the accident. What may seem like an expected ache or pain that you feel will go away in days or weeks, could be a far more serious (even permanent) soft tissue injury. Waiting to more fully assess the extent of your injuries and damages is vital to being fully compensated.
The other driver’s insurance company will also likely want you to give a statement that is recorded. This insurance company does not represent you and does not have your best interests in mind. This statement could be used against you later. You have no obligation to give a statement to the other driver’s insurer. If you do give a statement, you are entitled to a copy of the statement and we recommend securing one as soon as possible.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision, the attorneys at Anderson O’Brien are here to help. We have decades of experience representing those injured in motor vehicle accidents to ensure that they are protected. We are only a call away.
