Tips For Handling An Auto Accident As A Tourist
As a victim of an auto accident in the United States, you deserve compensation for your damages whether you are a resident or a tourist. As a tourist, however, you might not be familiar with the process of getting this compensation (even many residents don't have this knowledge). Below are the major things to remember if you are in such a situation.
Call the Police
The first thing you should know is that, unless you are seriously injured and require urgent medical care, you should not leave the scene of the accident before the police arrive. Indeed, you should call the police as soon as you are able to do so safely after your accident.
The police will come to the scene of the accident and write a report on it. The report will contain facts on the accident, such as the date, place, and people involved, as well as the preliminary determination of liability. You can use this report later on to pursue your damages.
If you are seriously hurt and you go to the hospital before the police arrive, it's possible that someone else will notify them of the accident. Whatever the case, you need to follow up and ensure the police report has an accurate picture of the accident.
Preserve Evidence
You need to preserve as much evidence as you can about your accident. Don't discard your torn clothing. Take pictures of the accident scene, and get contacts of potential witnesses if possible. You may not be able to do any of these things if you are seriously hurt. Do what you can once you have received medical care. For example, you shouldn't fix the car damages before taking pictures or video footage of that damage.
Get Driver Identity and Insurance Information
It is also a good idea to get the identity and insurance information of the other driver or drivers involved in the accident. These are the people who may be liable for your damages, so you need to know them. Remember not to admit liability for the accident, even if you feel responsible, because you may not be in the right frame of mind at this time due to the shock of the accident.
Get Medical Help
You need to get immediate medical help, whether you have minor or major injuries. First, you may not know how seriously you are hurt at this time because some injuries only show up later. Secondly, getting medical help will help you avoid health complications. Lastly, in case you end up pursuing damages, the liable party will want to know the steps you took to mitigate your damages, and getting medical help is one of these steps.
Consult a Lawyer
Auto accident laws seem complicated to many people, especially those who might not have dealt with these laws, such as tourists. For example, you might not know that there are fault states and no-fault states, and the latter requires you to claim damages from your own insurance carrier irrespective of liability. Thus, you should deal with an auto accident lawyer to help you navigate these laws.