The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported that in 2016, there were 129,395 crashes that involved 213,271 motor vehicles, resulting in 1,188 fatalities and 82,971 injured persons in the state. 12,190 of these crashes occurred in Philadelphia County.
If you are in an automobile accident make sure you follow these seven important rules:
- Get to a Safe Area.Immediately activate your four way flashing hazard lights, carefully move your vehicle to a safe area off the roadway. Place your transmission in park and turn off the engine.
- Call the Police.Dial “911”. Do not make any statements admitting fault. In some areas, the police will not come to the scene unless there is significant property damage, personal injuries or loss of life. It is still important to dial “911” and report the incident in case down the road there is a question as to whether there was even an accident. If the police will not come to the scene, you can file a police report later over the phone by calling the police department’s non-emergency telephone number or in person at the police headquarters.
- Call for an Ambulance.If someone needs immediate medical attention, dial “911” and request an ambulance. Often auto accident injuries are not immediately apparent or painful. You should consult your primary doctor, go to the hospital or an urgent care center as soon as possible. Make sure to keep track of all medical treatment and medications you receive.
- Take Photos and Videos.Safely take panoramic and close up photos and videos of the scene of the accident, damage to all cars, traffic control signs and signals, highway markings, the license plates of all vehicles and injuries to people involved in the accident.
- Get Driver’s License, Insurance and Registration Information.Record the names of all drivers and passengers involved in the accident. Make a list of the cars involved in the accident, including license plate numbers, registered owners, insurance companies and policy numbers. Record the names and telephone numbers of eyewitnesses. Use your cell phone camera to take clear photographs of all of these documents.
- Contact an Attorney to Protect Your Rights. The at fault driver’s insurance company may want to interview you and take your recorded statement. NEVER TALK TO THE OTHER INSURANCE COMPANY OR THEIR INVESTIGATORS. THEY ARE NOT IN THE BUSINESS TO HELP YOU, PAY FOR YOUR CLAIM OR BE YOUR FRIEND. THEY ARE IN THE BUSINESS TO PROTECT THEIR INSURED AND NOT PAY YOU ANYTHING. CALL YOUR ATTORNEY FIRST.
- Notify Your Insurance Company About the Accident. Insurance companies require that you promptly report a motor vehicle accident. However, it is important that you speak with your attorney first. DO NOTmake any statement to any insurance company until you have spoken with an attorney.
Washington & Washington represents people injured or who have passed away as a result of Car Accidents, Drunk Driving Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Bicycle Accidents, Uber and Lyft Accidents, Tour Bus Accidents, Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers, Product Liability, Work Accidents, Production, Factory and Assembly Line Accidents, Meat and Poultry Plant Accidents, Slip, Trip and Fall Down Accidents, Building Construction Accidents, Boating Accidents, Hotel, Motel and residential pool drowning accidents, Medical Malpractice, Dog Bites, Sex Trafficking, Sexual Assaults, Cruise Ship Accidents, Nursing Home Neglect, Social Security Disability and Long Term Disability Claims, Personal Injury, in Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, New York, D.C., and Minnesota.
Washington & Washington provides the highest standard of legal and ethical representation and makes sure people and their families have a fair chance to receive justice through the legal system – even when it means taking on the most powerful.
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