Auto accidents occur everyday and sometimes occur through no fault of your own.  Auto accidents in the Washington D.C./Baltimore Metropolitan Area involve a number of issues including insurance laws, overlapping jurisdiction and other complex legal issues.  Properly interpreting the law and effectively advocating your position is vital if you want to completely recover the damages from your car accident.  Having an attorney can be the difference between you settlement of your claim for maximum compensation or just settling. 

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, contact us immediately! 

Below are some suggestions as to what to do if you are involved in an auto accident in the Washington D.C./Baltimore Metropolitan area. 

1.         Be Cautious: Immediately following an accident, do not exit your vehicle until you determine that it is safe to do so. While it is usually best not to move the vehicles until the police arrive, if your vehicle is posing a safety threat to other traffic, you should move the vehicle if you can safely move it.

2.         Notify police immediately: No matter how friendly or cooperative someone may seem at the time, stories and accounts of events can change later in the process. It’s always best to have an officer on the scene to record an official version of the events as soon after the accident as possible.

3.         If you, or someone in your vehicle, are injured: Your health and safety are the most important things in any accident. If injuries are involved, please follow the advice of any emergency personnel at the scene.

4.         Get the info: Don’t rely on the police report as your only record of events, as it may take several days for you to receive a copy of the police report. Make sure to write down the other driver’s (1) name, address, home telephone number, and driver’s license number (2) make, model, year of vehicle and license plate number, (3) registered owner’s name, (4) insurance company name, agent name, and policy number, (5) driver’s injuries or pain complaints, and (6) any statements the driver or and passengers or witnesses make to you about the accident.

5.         Witnesses: If there were any witnesses, be sure to get their contact information as well. A witness can be critical to how the accident occurred.

6.         Be precise: Note the date and time of the accident. Write down the exact location of the accident and identify and cross streets, intersections, or landmarks. Also write down the road and weather conditions and the presence of any traffic signals, the number of travel lanes and any other identifying information about the location to the extent that any injuries will allow. This information is recorded for potential litigation purposes and should not be given to anyone other than your personal injury attorney.

7.         Pay attention: Listen carefully to statements that are made by witnesses or other driver’s while at the scene of the accident. Things are often said or observed that can ultimately help your case, especially if the other driver admits that they were at fault. Whether it be a simple apology or observing that the other party was using a handheld cell phone, write down the details so that you will remember.

8.         Be quiet: Do not make any comments at the scene as to how the accident happened. Even though you may be upset and emotional at the scene, making a statement is never helpful to you and may be used against you later when your attorney is trying to settle your case or at trial.

9.         Use your phone: All cell phones have cameras. Use your camera to get photos of the damage to all of the vehicles involved, including your own. Please try to get wide shots of all vehicles involved, as well as close-up shots of any areas that have sustained damage. You should also get a photo of the area around the accident scene, as well as any unusual road conditions (ice, debris, construction, etc.) that may have contributed to the accident. If the other drivers agree, taking a photo of their tag and driver’s license is also a good way to capture their information. As you take photos of the accident scene, please be sure not to put yourself or anyone else at risk of being injured or impeding any emergency response to the scene.

10.       Report the Claim: Call your insurance company to report the incident and start the claim process even if you believe the other person is at fault in order to protect your right to insurance coverage. Speak to an attorney before agreeing to give written or recorded statements.

11.       Discussing the Accident: You may be contacted by an adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company, investigators, or by a lawyer for another party involved in the accident. Do not give recorded statements to anyone until you discuss it with an attorney.

12.       Seek counsel: Although some automobile accidents can be settled without attorney representation, the laws relating to accident injuries are complex and change frequently. The insurance company knows the rules and will not explain anything that may help you. An attorney will review and analyze the fact of your claim and represent your interest.

             You should talk with someone who will help you understand your rights.