If you are in an auto accident that is someone else's fault, and you are feeling pain of any type at the scene, go the the Emergency Room! Many people refuse an ambulance or delay medical care hoping that the pain will go away. When it doesn't, the delay in seeking medical treatment has compromised their injury claim in the eyes of the other driver's insurance company. It is critically important first to tell the police officer at the scene that you are injured. Second, if the pain is significant, accept the officer's offer to call an ambulance. Third, even if you don't take the ambulance, drive to the emergency room right away to be checked out. This creates both a legal and medical contemporaneous record of your injury, not only assisting future doctors in your medical care, but also preventing an insurance company down the road from trying to claim you were not really injured in the accident.
In an Auto Accident? Always Call the Police!
Sometimes when people are in auto accidents which they initially believe to be minor, they decide not to call the police to the scene. This is a huge mistake. While the other driver may be nice and even admit fault to you at the scene, without that admission being documented it is useless if the person then changes their mind or denies what happened. The police will obtain all driver and insurance information, will document the precise time and location of the accident, and will describe the accident and assign legal fault where appropriate. This is crucial for you to have when submitting insurance claims to any insurance company for your property damage as well as any injuries and medical expenses you may have incurred. It is also critical to prove that you were not at fault. Finally, it is extremely helpful for an attorney to have so that he or she may correctly and promptly present your claims and process your case.
