In a perfect world, you’d never be involved in a car accident. Unfortunately, we live in a world in which tens of thousands of car accidents happen every year. As a result, you may very well need the services of a car accident attorney in Apple Valley. If you do, Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas is here to help – but first, we want you to know a few things you should do after a car accident.
Stop and make sure everyone is safe
First and foremost, you are required by law to stop as soon as you can do so safely. If you don’t, then you could end up being charged with a hit and run – which, in some cases, is a felony offense. Once you’ve stopped, your next priority should be the safety of everyone who was involved in the accident. If you’re in a position to do so, check on the medical conditions of people in your car and the other vehicle. Call 9-1-1 if necessary.
Do you know when you must call the police?
Some people believe that if they’re able to drive their vehicles away, that they don’t have to call the police. This is just one example of why you should always speak to a car accident attorney in Apple Valley, because the truth is that if you believe there’s property damage equal to or more than $500 then you need to call the police.
Document what happened for your car accident attorney in Apple Valley
One of the things that will help increase your chances of getting a fair settlement is whether or not you were able to take pictures or videos. If you don’t have your phone or a camera on you, then ask a witness to take pictures and send them to you. You should do this quickly before you move your vehicles to a safe spot. After all, part of the reason for these photos is to ensure that we get an accurate depiction of what the accident looked like.
Get your car out of the way and get all the information you need
Your California personal injury attorney will want as much information as you can get, but first, if your car can be driven, get it out of the lanes of traffic and further danger. This may mean on the side of the road or up the road to a parking lot. Then get all the information you can, including license plate numbers and VINs, names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, and insurance info from everyone involved in the accident.
You should also speak to all witnesses to get their names, phone numbers, and addresses. Then write down everything you can about the accident, including the time, how many cars were involved, the weather, the conditions of the road, and anything else you can think of. Then call Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to find out how you can protect your interests.
