What To Do If You Are In An Auto Collision

Of course, no one wants to be in an auto collision. The whole idea is frightening. Once you are in an auto collision, you will probably be shaken up or nervous about what to do. You may also have significant pain, and not be in any condition to deal with insurance companies. However, the actions you take right after your auto collision can seriously affect the outcome of your claim. The following are a few suggestions on what to do and what not to do.

What to Do Immediately After an Auto Collision

At the time of a collision in Connecticut, you should first check yourself to see if you are o.k. Think about whether you are in pain in any part of your body. Are there any other new sensations, like dizziness? You will be asked about this many times throughout the time your claim is processed. Then check on any of your passengers. In Connecticut, you are also obligated by law to check on the medical condition of the other parties to the collision to see if any of them need medical attention.

You should call the police immediately. You want to have the police make a police report, which will document that this incident actually occurred. Some people will offer to pay for the damage to your car if you do not report the case to the police or your insurance company. Do not fall for this. Once you both leave the scene without a police report, you have no evidence that the event happened. You will likely never hear from the other party again.

If the position of your vehicle poses a danger to others, then you should move it. However, you should try to take a picture of the position of your vehicles before moving them. The position of your vehicles will be an important part of the police investigation.

Make sure you get insurance information from the other party. Take a picture of their insurance card with your phone.

When the police arrive, just stay calm and let them do their job. Answer their questions. If you are hurt at all, tell them so. If you do not report an injury to the police at the scene, the police report will say you did not report being injured. The other party’s insurance company will try to use this against you later. Do not be afraid to ask for an ambulance to take you to the hospital from the scene.  The police will arrange a tow truck to remove your car from the scene if no one else is available to drive it.

Medical Care, Insurance, and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Often, people do not feel any pain until hours after their auto collision, or even the next day. If this happens to you, seek medical attention immediately. Go to your doctor, an immediate medical care clinic, or the emergency room. Very often, early intervention can prevent pain from getting worse. At the emergency room or doctor’s office, try to be clear about how the collision happened. The doctor will want to know what forces may have impacted you. For instance, if your head hit the steering wheel in the collision, you should inform the doctor. This information will be recorded in the medical records.

If you feel pain after your auto collision, call the Law Office of Attorney Kevin L. Hoffkins. He can help you through all of the steps you need to take to preserve your case.

Contact your insurance company about getting your vehicle fixed. Many people do not want to have their insurance company pay to fix their vehicle because they believe that it will cause their insurance premiums to go up. However, simply being in an auto collision can cause your insurance to go up. The insurance companies have a database that they share, and your insurance company will find out about your accident anyway. Also, many people presume that they will get the full value of fixing their car by dealing directly with the insurance company of the person who hit them.   This is not true. The other person’s insurance company will give you a low-ball offer to fix your car. They will be very difficult about it. I advise people to save themselves the hassle and just have their car fixed by their insurance company.

Do not give a recorded statement to either your insurance company or that of the other person. If your case winds up in litigation, this recorded statement will come out. At the early stages of your case, you cannot know what statements might impact your case. So the best practice is not to make a recorded statement.

If your car is towed to a garage, beware of the fees charged by the garage for holding your car. They often charge per day. If you delay getting your car, these fees will add up.

Speak with a Connecticut Auto Collision Attorney

Attorney Kevin L. Hoffkins is very experienced at helping people get a fair settlement or award for their injuries. Call Attorney Kevin L. Hoffkins if you have been injured in an auto collision.