10 Steps to Follow After an Automobile Accident

Auto accidents are a leading cause of accidental death and injury in Minnesota and throughout the nation. If you are in a motorcycle, truck, or car accident, the lawyers of SiebenCarey recommend you do the following:

1. Stop the vehicle. No matter who is at fault in the accident, you must stop your vehicle. State law requires drivers to stop their vehicles and exchange contact and insurance information after an accident.
2. Turn off the engine. This is an important step to help prevent fire.
3. Get out of the vehicle. Remove yourself from your vehicle and further danger. Stand out of the way of traffic, but remain at the scene of the accident.
4. Call 911. This is imperative. Even if it appears that no one was injured, assistance may be needed for clearing the scene, managing traffic, and creating the accident report.
5. Collect information from all parties. Collect information from the scene of the accident including time and location, road and weather conditions, and contact and insurance information of the people involved (including passengers and witnesses). Be sure to record the license plate numbers, vehicle makes and models, and the driver's license number of the other cars. Also, write down the name, department, and badge numbers of the police officers on the scene. Obtain a copy of the police report as well.
6. Do not sign anything. Signing some types of documents may compromise your rights. You may, however, sign items from the police, such as a ticket or report.
7. Seek medical attention. Even if you don’t believe you are injured, it is important to be examined by a health care professional as soon as possible. There may be someone to administer first aid on the scene, but be sure to immediately schedule an appointment with your own doctor. Occasionally, a person may be seriously injured, but shock or distress may mask the symptoms of these injuries.
8. Contact your insurance company. Inform your insurance company of the accident and supply them with all of the information you collected from the accident.
9. Don't talk about the accident. This is particularly important in the sense that you do not want to give the insurance companies or attorneys who are representing others any information or statements. Refer them to your own insurance company and/or attorney. You may, of course, give necessary information to police, medical professionals and your own insurance company and attorney.
10. File a report with the state. If someone has been injured in the accident, or if the total damage will amount to more than $1,000, you must file a report in accordance with Minnesota state law.

Our Attorneys, Legal Teams Are Here to Help You

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck, motorcycle or drunk driver accident, you need a trusted guide to navigate the legal system and protect your rights. The lawyers of SiebenCarey are experienced attorneys. Contact our personal injury law firm today to speak with one of our knowledgeable lawyers about your case.