What Information do I need after a Car Accident?

Car accidents are traumatic experiences that stick with you. Whether it’s a car, motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle or trucking accident, we understand the impact they can have you on physically and emotionally. As personal injury lawyers in a city like Boston, we have helped many clients on their way to a fast recovery. We want to be able to help you through your insurance claims, so we put together a list of information you should collect after an accident. First and foremost, we care about your well being. Before you attempt to collect any information, make sure you and other passengers are safe and emergency vehicles are called.

Contact Information

Exchange information. Make sure you write down the information from the driver and passengers in the other vehicle as well as any potential witnesses:

• Name
• Phone Number
•  Addresses
• E-mail Addresses

Insurance Information

Get the drivers Insurance information including the company’s name, policy number and phone number.

Your Location

Record your location as accurately as possible. If you’re on the highway or main road, write down an intersection or exit number that you’re closest to.

Document Damages

Take photos of the following:

• The damage to your car or property
• The accident scene – Document road conditions. You want to also capture conditions of the accident such as skid marks, debris, and position of vehicles after the accident

TIP: Taking a picture of their insurance card, license plate number, their ID is an easy way to document their information. You can also take photos of your location such as street signs, mile markers, or exit signs  to help remember where the accident occurred.

If emergency services are called take note of the police department that responded, the report number, and the officer’s name and badge number. If it is a severe accident with injuries and ambulances or fire trucks arrive, write down the company and towns they were dispatched from.

If you plan on contacting a personal injury lawyer, the more prepared you are, the better. Do not waste the opportunity to write down as much information as possible about the other driver, their vehicle, the damages, and your location. Be thorough and document the accident conditions and the events as accurately as possible. Be specific – it will be harder to remember as time goes on, so take the time to write the information down right away.

Personal injury attorneys will help you file insurance claims and get the repairs and compensation you need if you have the right information available. If you are missing any of these pieces of information, do not abandon your case. Contact one of our lawyers today for a consultation. We will help you get money for car repairs, medical expenses, and emotional trauma after your accident. Contact us today for more info.