Protect yourself in the event of a car accident: insurance companies are not on your side

What to do if you are involved in a car accident

It is unfortunate that most people do not know what to do when they are involved in an accident. My own mother was in an accident recently and called me frankly to ask what she should do. Knowing what to do is important to protect your health and protect your interests with other drivers and insurance companies. This is true even if you are at fault.

The most important thing after an accident is your safety. If you, the other driver, or any of the passengers are seriously injured, be sure to call for help. Call 911, the only phone call for police and ambulance. If no one involved has any apparent injuries, it is still advisable to make a non-emergency call to the police department and request a police presence at the scene of the accident. In most cities, including Las Vegas (and surrounding areas), you can dial 311 for non-emergency police dispatch.

In the event of injury and/or property damage, a police presence is very important so that a police report can be prepared and then used to obtain proper compensation from the appropriate insurance company or companies, even if it is your own insurance provider. insurance. Compensation may cover medical treatment, property damage, lost wages, and/or pain and suffering.

If the police are called, through an emergency call to 911 or a non-emergency call to 311, the police will ensure that all the appropriate information is provided in the police report. If there are no apparent injuries or property damage, and/or if the police do not arrive at the scene of the accident, then exchange information with the other driver. Obtain the driver’s name, car registration information, and insurance company and policy number. Give your information to the other driver.

Do not make non-factual statements, and only to the police, related to the accident and how the accident occurred. Do not make statements about your state of health; remember that many injuries may be latent injuries that may not manifest immediately. Contact a personal injury attorney immediately; do not contact the other party’s insurance company or report your accident to their insurance company before consulting with a personal injury attorney. In most cases, the attorney will assume responsibility for making such contacts on your behalf, but will tell you if you should make contacts of any kind. Remember that it is in the interest of insurance companies to underestimate the injuries and damages caused by an accident, so that they pay the least amount of compensation. The attorney knows how to deal with insurance companies and get you the compensation you deserve. The more serious the accident, the more important it is to contact a personal injury lawyer.

Ramzy Ladah, Esq.

Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer, PLLC