If you’re riding with family and friends in Indiana and you’re hit by another vehicle, your mind is likely racing as you decide what to do next. One of the first things you should do is bring your car to a complete stop and see if any passengers in your vehicle are hurt. Then, if it’s safe to do so, get out of your car to assess any damage to your automobile and check to see if any of the passengers or drivers in the other vehicles are hurt.
Once you take care of these tasks, should you contact the police? Here are some things to keep in mind to keep you protected after a collision.
Exchange Contact Information
Be sure to exchange contact information with all other involved drivers. Get the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of all drivers, along with their insurance information. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of everyone’s license plates for your records. You should get the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident since you may need to submit these witness accounts to your lawyer.
While you may be able to speak to the other people involved in the collision, it is important that you don’t admit guilt since your statement could be used against you in court.
Write Everything Down
Write down all the details about the wreck as soon as you can. Describe which part of your car is damaged and whose actions led to the accident. It is important to complete this step right after the accident so you don’t forget the details.
Contacting the Police for Minor Accidents
It’s best to contact the police any time you get into an accident, even if it’s a minor fender bender. Indiana laws indicate that you should always notify law enforcement if you’re in a wreck. Let the police know you’ve been in a collision even if everyone involved says that they are not injured.
It’s important that the police know about your accident because you may have collision-related injuries that don’t show up right away. Sometimes, it can take weeks for an injury to become evident. However, if you don’t have a police report, you’ll have a hard time proving that you deserve compensation for your injuries.
You may also notice minor damage to your car that you didn’t notice at the scene of the accident. When you have a police report, you can provide evidence that the damage to your vehicle was caused by the wreck.
A police report can also prevent the courts from believing false claims made by the other parties in the accident. An official report can eliminate confusion in court since drivers may admit fault at the accident scene and change their testimony in court.
If you fail to notify the police about the accident, you could be faced with a misdemeanor or even a felony depending on the severity of the crash.
When the Police Don’t Respond
In rare cases, the police may not show up for minor accidents in Indiana. If the damage from the accident is less than $500 and no one was injured, the police may not come to the accident scene. However, you should still visit your local precinct to fill out an incident report. This document can be used as evidence for your automobile accident case as well.
Final Thoughts
In addition to notifying the police about your accident, you’ll also need to find a lawyer to bring your case to court and get you a fair settlement to cover medical bills and missed wages. Make an appointment with a truck accident lawyer in Gary to help you win your case.
If you were injured or your car was damaged or totaled in the accident, an experienced attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve for your damages and injuries. Having a lawyer working for you can also ensure that you’ll receive fair compensation. Schedule your consultation today.
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