Winter driving is a way of life in Buffalo, New York. Longtime residents understand the extra precautions we must take when the roads are covered in snow; however, accidents still happen. If you are involved in a collision, you may be wondering what to do after a winter car accident. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation.
What to Do After a Winter Car Accident | Exchange Insurance Information
If you ever find yourself in an auto accident, there are certain things that you must do. The first thing is to stay calm, assess the situation, make sure that neither you nor anybody else near a vehicle requires immediate medical attention. Once you have done this, assess your position in the roadway. Are you in a safe location in a vehicle sense, or is traffic speeding past you on both sides? If it is possible, take photos with your smartphone or camera of the site of the accident. If it is safe to do so, you should look to maneuver your vehicle into a safe location until the police arrive. If your car is still drivable, it is your responsibility to get yourself and your passengers to a safe location.
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Once you are safe, you should call the police, requesting a police report. Whenever there is damage more than $1,000 to any vehicle, or whenever anyone is injured to any extent, a report should be completed. While you are waiting for the police, you can also take out any insurance and registration information, and you should retrieve information from all the other drivers who were involved in the accident. Witnesses’ accounts are also crucial to collect, and if a passerby stops and asks if you are all right, ask the person if he or she saw the accident. Many times, witnesses will gladly provide their names and phone numbers, giving their permission to be called in the future if their input is needed.
What to Do After a Winter Car Accident | Collect Evidence and Witness Information
Our dedicated Buffalo car accident lawyers recommend that anyone involved in an accident should record everything that the driver behind the accident happens to say. This driver may admit fault or apologize and later deny having said anything of the sort. If the driver apologizes while other people are around, accounts from these witnesses are also helpful. Whenever a driver causes an accident and then makes comments that against her or his best interest, this action constitutes party admission.
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While you are safely waiting on the roadside, your responsibility is to take photographs of any skid marks that you find, the locations of the vehicles, and the extent of the damage to both vehicles. If the vehicles are still drivable and neither one is towed away or impounded, there is a real risk that you will not see the other driver’s car or truck ever again. You should take pictures while you are at the scene of the accident as you wait for the police to arrive.
What to Do After a Winter Car Accident | Contact Our Office
Local insurance companies are familiar with Andrews, Bernstein & Maranto, PLLC’s team of experienced Buffalo car accident lawyers, and they know all too well that we are willing to take all of our cases to a jury trial. Unlike other attorneys, we will not accept a quick settlement simply so that we can move on to the next case. We will fight for every ounce of compensation that our clients deserve.