Protect Yourself After an Ottawa Accident: A Post Accident Checklist
The first week after you’ve been in an Ottawa car accident can be the most critical. While recollections and evidence are still fresh, use our checklist to ensure you’ve taken every step to aid your Ottawa personal injury lawyer in forming your case.
- Get Medical Attention. Injury after a car accident is common, but many people don’t realize that it can take several hours or even days for the full effects of injuries to manifest themselves. Don’t dismiss your pain; it could be the sign of a more serious problem. Get a thorough work-up at an emergency room or through you primary physician. Time is of the essence, as the sooner your injuries are treated, the easier recovery is likely to be.
- Collect Witness Names. Even the most crystal clear recollections fade after time, and having corroborating testimony from eye-witnesses can be beneficial to a future personal injury case. Gather information including names, addresses, telephone and license plate numbers from any witnesses at the scene and provide the list to your accident lawyer.
- Contact Your Own Insurance. Contact your insurance company and report the accident. They will ask you a series of questions detailing the circumstances surrounding the accident. Be honest and as detailed as possible, but remember this is not about fault but about compiling as many objective details as possible. Once you’ve reported the accident and a claim is filed, you are now eligible for coverage possibly including medical expenses, towing, and car rental, whether or not you are at fault for the crash.
- Take Photos. Snap shots of the area where the accident occurred, damage to the cars involved, injuries you have sustained – anything and everything that could be important to your case.
- Preserve any Physical Evidence. Until your insurance company and lawyer have had a chance to evaluate any physical evidence, make sure it is preserved wherever possible. Do not wash or make repairs to your vehicle and document any injuries before and during treatment.
- Have the Damage to Your Car Documented – Twice. While the insurance company will most likely want to document the damage to your car as soon as possible, they have their own interests to protect as well as yours. Snap your own pictures or hire a neutral third party to thoroughly document any damage your car has sustained.
- Get It In Writing. Any communication between you and the other party’s insurance company should be in writing, with receipt confirmation. This can be accomplished by sending a registered letter or faxing using a cover sheet. File the delivery receipt with your other accident documents as proof of the communication.
If you have questions about what to do after you’ve been in an Ottawa car accident, reach out to the experienced personal injury lawyers at Auger Hollingsworth. We will provide you with the information you need to make the right decisions about compensation in your case. Call our law firm today 613 233-4529.
