Being in an auto accident is never fun experience and hopefully you are not in one, however if you are, there are a few steps you need to take to make the process easier.
Whenever you are in a car accident, always call the police especially if there are any injured parties or property damage above $1,000.00. M.G.L. Chapter 90, Section 26 requires an operator of a motor vehicle involved in a crash to complete and file a Crash Operator Report with the Registry of Motor Vehicles within 5 days of the accident if there is any personal injuries or property damage above $1,000.00. You should also file a copy of the report with the police department and your insurance company. If you are struck by a vehicle that fled the scene of the accident, always call the police even if there are no injuries or property damage above $1,000.00.
Check your surroundings before exiting your vehicle after an accident to make sure it is safe to do so. Move your vehicle out of the way of traffic if you are able to do so.
When the police arrive, confirm they spoke with you to get your version of how the accident occurred. Try to get all the names and contact information from all the parties involved in the accident, including any witnesses. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene and damage to the vehicles. Confirm you have all the contact information before the police leave the scene of the accident.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident and confirm they know the details of how the crash occurred. Your insurance carrier may delay or deny your claim for property damage if you do not report the accident in a timely manner.
Before you have a repair shop start to make repairs to your damaged vehicle, confirm with the insurance company that they will cover all the costs of the repairs. If you decide to rent a replacement vehicle and have rental coverage, confirm with your insurance carrier the amounts and the time they will agree to cover.
Get a completed receipt of all the work completed on your vehicle at the repair shop make sure you are satisfied with all the work before you resolve your property damage claim.
If you are injured as a result of the accident, you should seek medical treatment right away. When you are being evaluated by the medical providers, you should explain to them why you are seeking treatment, how the accident occurred and be sure to explain to the medical providers all of your complaints from the accident.
If you are either an operator or passenger in a motor vehicle accident and sustain injuries, you should seek the legal advice of an experienced personal injury attorney such as Attorney Michael Smith at the Mass Injury Group for a free consultation.