Here are some tips for the next steps after your crash in Edmonton to ease you into this process and make it as painless as possible.
1. SURVEY THE SCENE AND GATHER EVIDENCE
After a car accident, gather as much evidence associated with the event as soon as possible. One way to do this is by taking pictures of everything in sight and talking to any witnesses that may have been around at the time of the incident for important contact information. You should also survey your surroundings before leaving because it could be helpful if there are surveillance cameras nearby or some other form of documentation relating to the events of your crash.
2. EXCHANGE PERSONAL INFORMATION
Never pay or promise to pay for damages at the scene of a collision. Refuse any settlement offer and do not agree on forgetting about it as well. To make sure that you can get what is rightfully owed in terms of your claim, take note of every detail including:
– License plates
– Driver licenses’
– Insurance information
– All personal information including name, address, phone number, and a physical description. Ideally, take a photo of the other driver’s license or identification- this includes any witnesses.
This way, no information is missed during processing- ultimately leading to you potentially missing out on obtaining maximum compensation.
3. REPORTING TO THE POLICE
If the damage from the accident exceeds $2000 or your vehicle is rendered inoperable, you are required by law to inform the police. If there is any question as to the amount of the damage, the police should still be notified and allowed to make their own determination as to the extent of the damages.
Ensure you have taken all pictures of the accident scene prior to the arrival of the police to ensure transparency and accountability.
4. SAFETY ABOVE ALL ELSE
After a car accident in Edmonton, if your vehicle is drivable and there are no serious injuries in the area, and you are safe to move it out of traffic- you should proceed to do so. Failure to protect your vehicle after an incident may limit compensation from insurance companies, so make sure not to damage it anymore than necessary when moving.
In a situation where injuries have been sustained or you suspect an impaired driver, it is best to leave the scene untampered until the police arrive. Call 911 and take pictures from a safe distance until the police arrive. Ensure you and/or the other driver have their hazard lights and only follow any of the steps above if it is safe to do so.
5. CALL SIDHU PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS OF EDMONTON
After the police, your next call should be to contact a reputable injury lawyers, Sidhu Lawyers. Our dedicated staff is on-hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to walk you through the next steps for your specific situation. We will help you navigate the next course of action with a personalized plan for your situation. We will assist you every step of the way until you receive the compensation you deserve.
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