Accidents can happen in many ways, and the cause is often difficult to determine. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately six million car accidents occur annually in the United States. Out of those 6 million accidents, around 37,000 people die. That means that roughly 0.6% of all car accidents result in death.
In addition to car accidents, millions of other types of accidents occur each year. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 9 million people are injured in accidents each year. Of those 9 million people, around 30% will require hospitalization.
So what should you do if you find yourself in an accident? The first thing is to stay calm and assess the situation. If it’s a minor accident and everyone is okay, then you may not need to do anything except exchange insurance information. However, you must take additional steps if it is a significant accident.
Part of those processes involves determining who you need to talk to, especially regarding insurance companies and law enforcement. Here’s a look at some of the most influential people you need to speak to following an accident.
The Other Driver
The other driver is the most important person you need to talk to following an accident. This is especially true if you are exchanging information and photos. By exchanging information with the other driver, you can ensure that everyone knows what happened and has the correct contact information. This can help avoid any disputes down the road.
Additionally, if the other driver is not at fault, you may be able to collect damages from their insurance company. However, this can only happen if you have accurate contact information for the other driver. If you do not have this information, it can be challenging to get in touch with them later on.
It’s also important to remember that you should never admit fault following an accident. Even if you think you may be at fault, it’s best to wait until an investigation gets completed before making any statements.
Emergency Responders
Emergency responders will likely be called to the scene if you are involved in a severe accident. These responders can include police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. While they are responding to the accident, you mustn’t leave the scene.
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in most states. If you leave before exchanging information or speaking to law enforcement, you could be charged with a hit and run . In some cases, this can result in jail time.
Additionally, emergency responders can provide you with valuable information following an accident. For example, they can give you a copy of the police report. This report can be helpful when filing an insurance claim.
Insurance Agent
Your insurance agent is another important person to talk to following an accident. In most cases, you must contact your insurance company within 24 hours of the accident. If you wait too long, your claim could get denied.
When you speak to your insurance agent, be sure to have all of the necessary information on hand. This can include the police report, photos of the damage, and any other documentation you have collected. The more information you have, the easier it will be for your agent to process your claim.
Remember that your insurance company is not required to pay for all the damages from the accident. In some cases, they may only cover a portion of the cost. It’s also important to remember that your insurance rates may go up following an accident.
DUI Lawyer
If you have been involved in an accident and think alcohol may have been a factor, you need to speak to a DUI attorney. This is especially true if you face charges or the other driver is injured. A DUI lawyer can help you understand the charges you are facing and can work to get them reduced or dropped altogether.
Additionally, a DUI lawyer can help you negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company. If the other driver is injured, their insurance company may try to get you to pay their medical bills. However, a DUI lawyer can help you avoid this by negotiating with the insurance company.
Police Officers
When you get involved in an accident, you must talk to the police. They can help you exchange information with the other driver and provide a copy of the police report. This report can be helpful when filing an insurance claim.
The police can also help you if you get charged with a crime. For example, if you are facing DUI charges, the police can help you get the best possible outcome. They can also help you negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company.
If you got involved in an accident, you must speak to the police as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
There are several people you should talk to following an accident. These can include emergency responders , your insurance agent, and a DUI lawyer. You must speak to all of these people as soon as possible to ensure you get the best possible outcome.