THE SEVEN AUTO ACCIDENT "TO DO'S" : 

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• 1)  Don't leave the scene of the accident. If you've been in a car accident or motorcycle crash regardless of fault if you leave you can be charged with a crime. Leaving the scene of a car accident is a serious offense. 

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• 2) Get the other driver's insurance information. Even in a minor fender bender you need to get their information. A little scratch on your car can turn into a big bill. Also, don't be in a hurry. If you miss some of the information it can be a pain staking process trying to gather it up again. This is the ONE time the parties are together and sometimes your ONLY opportunity to get their information. 

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• 3. Call the police. Get a report. A major mistake plaintiffs make after a car accident is they don't bother to contact a neutral third party law enforcement agency to come assist with the gathering of vital information. Generally law enforcement will show up. Take a report. Take down everyone's information. The details regarding an auto accident and then prepare a report. Generally they'll even place one party at fault for the accident. This makes your life easy as a plaintiff as you've already won the first layer of scrutiny in your auto accident case. Get the report. You'll be glad you waited around later. 

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• 4. Get all witness information. While you can rely on law enforcement to take down most of the information about a car accident they don't bother to get witness phone numbers. If somebody pulled over to assist you after a car accident, ask them if they saw the accident and if they did get their name, address and phone number. Having a witness to your auto accident is vital to proving your case if there are any issues of fact to be determined. 

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• 5. Take pictures! Has anyone ever told you "A picture is worth a thousand words"? Well it's true. Everyone has a smart phone these days. Taking pictures of your car accident or motorcycle crash will immediately show the attorneys, adjusters, jury and judge how the scene was on that day and time. Take pictures of your injuries. If you have any cuts, bruises, abrasions, or injuries you need to document it. Describing how an injury looks with words is a lot less effective than simply showing a picture. This adds value to your case when it comes to seeking damages for your pain and suffering. 

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• 6. Go get checked out by a doctor if you need medical assistance. Most car accidents result not in visible injuries but rather soft tissue injuries. That's why after a car accident or crash you need to have a medical professional document your pain levels. Tell them where the pain is coming from. Make them take X-Rays of inflamed muscles, back and neck tissues to show you were in fact injured. You can't take a picture of your soft tissue injuries with your cell phone but a doctor can with X-Rays, CT scans and/or MRIs. Don't be shy. Even if you only hurt a little go get it documented and get medical assistance. 

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• 7. Don't give any recorded statements until you consult an attorney. Adjusters try and get you to say things that are not exactly true on a recorded phone call. That recording WILL be used against you. Those pesky adjusters will ask leading questions. They set you up for failure. It's their way of twisting and turning the facts of an accident later to dispute liability. Let your attorney do the talking for you. The attorneys at VLG in Murrieta know how to deal with adjusters and don't play their little games. Don't get played, get paid. Call the the accident attorneys at the VLG in Murrieta today for a free no obligation phone consultation with an attorney.