What To Do After An Accident
Be sure to collect:
-Driver's name, address, phone number, driver's license number and expiration date, date of birth, telephone number, driver's license number and expiration date.
-Year, make, model, and license plate number and registration expiration date, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
-Name, address, phone number and insurance carrier of the vehicle's owner if different from the driver.
-Name, address, phone number and policy number of the driver's insurance company.
-The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any passengers in the other car.
-The names, addresses and telephone numbers of witnesses to the accident. Ask them to stay to talk to the CHP or police. If they insist on leaving, ask them to tell you what they saw and write everything down. Try to identify people at the accident scene, even if they will not give their names. For example, if a man who saw the accident drives off, take down his license plate number. Law enforcement officials can trace the owner's name and address.
-Some description of the collective damage of each car, and whether the damage appears old or new.
-The exact location of the accident.
-Whatever you can remember about the accident. Note the time it happened, weather, visibility, light, pavement conditions, color of traffic lights or other signs, and approximate speeds of vehicles. A simple diagram of the accident may be helpful. Draw the positions of both cars before, during and after the accident. If there are skid marks on the road, pace them off. Draw them on the diagram, noting the distance they cover. Mark the positions of any crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights or street lights. If you have a camera with you, take pictures of the scene.
-The name and badge number of the law officer who comes to the accident scene. Ask the officer where and when you can get a copy of the accident report.
5. Cooperate with police.
Cooperate fully with law officers, but speak with your insurance agent and/or lawyer before accepting any blame.
Do not volunteer any information about whose fault the accident was. You may think you are in the wrong and then learn that the other driver is as much or more to blame than you are. You should talk to your insurance agent, your lawyer or both before taking the blame. Anything you say to the police or the other driver can be used against you later.
Do not agree to pay for damages or sign any paper except a traffic
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