Prepare for the Worst in an Auto Accident

The odds are good that in your lifetime, you will be involved in an average of six auto accidents in your life….we all hope they are minor fender benders with no injuries. With those averages, it pays to prepare. Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.

One overriding piece of advice always rings true after a car accident: Remain calm. This little piece of advice seems logical to most of us; however, calm is the last feeling you have when you have just been in a car crash. First, you are scared to death, and your adrenaline is pumping through your veins. Your life was threatened, so this is completely natural.

There are some things you can do today to help you be prepared for a possible auto accident of a minor nature:

1. Carry a cell phone with emergency numbers programmed into the directory. In most locations, 911 does not have to be programmed, but you will want to easily have access to local rural authorities if you are in a rural area.
2. Keep a copy of your insurance information. Anymore, you can scan your insurance information directly onto your phone.
3. Download an application to help you remember to get important information following a car accident. When emotions are running high, it is hard to remember that you need all witnesses’ names and to take pictures. Download “Injury Attorney,” our free application that gives you step-by-step guidelines on what information you need to file an insurance claim or to file a personal injury case later if needed. Also, our application gives you quick access to local emergency numbers, hospitals, tow services, and cabs.
4. Calmly give the facts of the incident to the reporting officer. Your “I feel” or “I think” statements are not helpful to the officer reporting. Simply give the officer a description of the actions that took place. The officer is trying to document the accident and get emergency medical assistance to anyone needing it. They are also concerned about getting traffic moving again if the accident happens on a road that is traveled frequently.

At The Cagle Law Firm, we represent seriously injured victims of accidents. Because the insurance claim process is so complex and time-intensive, an injured person lacks the legal knowledge and, quite frankly, the energy to negotiate for months and months with their or the other party’s insurance company. After a crash where you are injured, you are trying to put your life back together in addition to trying to heal physically. Insurance companies have attorneys on their side, and as an individual, you need an attorney as well just to be sure that you are treated fairly.

At our firm, we answer calls seven days a week. Not every person that calls needs an attorney, but we can help them determine that in a short amount of time. Information is power, so you will want all of the information on your side that you can get. Call (314) 276-1681 for a free consultation.