Car
Accident Lawyer Washington DC, Maryland & Virginia
Car
Accidents - Time is of the Essence
A
car accident can ruin a person’s life. One minute,
you are driving down the road, minding your own business;
the next minute, you’re a victim of someone else’s
mistake or inattention.
Whether in Maryland, Washington DC, or Virginia, the
lawyers at Cohen & Cohen, P.C. help injured people
who have been involved in car accidents. From the moment
the collision occurs, the clock starts ticking, and
it is important to take charge of the situation. Below
are four basic tips on what to do when involved in a
car accident.
1. Call the Police
Quite often after a car accident the parties involved
in the collision refuse to call the police. The sense
is often one of immediate reconciliation. Most clients
explain that they never called the police because they
did not think the situation would be “a big deal,”
and the person that caused the accident admitted fault
at the scene. This view is shortsighted. If you are
involved in a car accident, you should immediately call
the police. The police will help you obtain valuable
information and will document how the accident occurred
by getting the names of witnesses and insurance information.
Sometimes the police will draw a scene diagram documenting
the area where the accident occurs. The police will
usually issue a ticket to the at-fault driver. All of
this will help later with successfully resolving your
case.
2. Exchange Information
Immediately exchange information with the other driver.
This means getting the other driver’s (a) name,
(b) address, (c) telephone number, (d) tag number, (e)
insurance company, (f) make and model of vehicle, and
(g) the name of the owner of the car if it is owned
by someone other than the person driving. It is also
important for you to get the names, addresses, and phone
numbers of any witnesses. Make sure to get witnesses
first and last names if possible.
3. Take Photographs
Take photographs of your vehicle, and, if possible,
of the other vehicle involved in the accident. Perhaps
the old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”
is never more appropriate than after a car accident.
Pictures help show where the property damage is on each
vehicle, and this can become excellent evidence in the
case. Quite often property damage photographs make the
difference between a successful versus an unsuccessful
case. You should also take pictures of any injuries
you sustain in an car accident, such as bruises or
swelling. Scene photographs are also important. Take
pictures of the area where the accident occurs, including
photos of the intersection, road surface, stop signs
or lights. A photo of skid marks, for example, may help
show a car’s speed. Make sure to take plenty of
photographs and keep your negatives in a safe place.
In short, photographs help to preserve evidence, and
it is critical that they be taken very early on in the
case.
4. Obtain Medical Care
Unfortunately, car accidents often result in physical
injury. If you are injured in an accident, it is crucial
that you obtain medical care immediately. The adrenaline
rush after an accident often masks pain. This can be
very dangerous for an injured person because there may
be a serious underlying problem that needs to be addressed
quickly. Similarly, if a person has complaints of pain
or soreness but does not seek prompt medical care, it
will be hard to later prove the injury. It makes good
medical and legal sense to seek prompt medical attention
if you are injured in a car accident.
Please remember that each jurisdiction has different
laws pertaining to car accident claims, so it
is important to seek out competent counsel to advise
you of your rights. It is vital to obtain a knowledgeable
attorney to advise you of your rights following these
types of accidents.
Frequently
searched terms:
- Car
Accident Lawyer Washington DC
- Washington
DC Car Accident Lawyer
- Car
Accident Lawyer Maryland
- Maryland
Car Accident Lawyer
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