Cape Cod Injury Lawyer Blog
Maybe you took a glance at your phone, or an intoxicated individual stumbled out in front of you during a green light. Whatever the case may be, the unthinkable has happened-you’ve hit someone with your car. Instead of panicking and getting caught up in the emotions of the moment, it’s important to follow the right procedures. Take a deep breath and follow these seven steps on what to do from here, from The Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, Marion car accident lawyer.
1. StopOnce you realize you’ve made contact with someone, hit the brakes and turn your engine off. Locate where the victim is. If they’re under your car, or in front of you on the road, you don’t want to keep going and risk injuring them further by driving ahead.
2. Pull OverPull your car over to the side of the road and away from traffic. Staying on the road risks your safety. Although you may be feeling a lot of anxiety and fear about what may come next, leaving the scene of the crime is not only immoral, it’s illegal!
2. Assess the DamageGet out of your car and get to the individual or individuals you may have hit to see if they need immediate help. If they’re able to walk, help them over to the side of the road and out of any oncoming traffic. You can apologize, at The Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, Marion car accident lawyer, we’d advise you to not admit any fault. Leave that decision to the lawyers!
3. Make Some CallsYou’ll next want to call 911 for police and medical personnel to come to the scene. Although contacting the police may feel like you’re sealing your fate, passersby may likely be calling them as well, so it’s best you do the right thing and call them first.
4. Just The FactsWhen the ambulance and police officers arrive, direct them to the individual hurt so that they can receive care. They’ll speak to any witnesses involved, and then to you. When you’re spoken to or speaking to the other party, make sure to stick to the facts. Your Marion car accident lawyer will let you know that anything else you say or do may be held against you in court.
5. Gather EvidenceEven though you may be shaken up, try to take as many photos of the scene as possible. This includes your vehicle, any of your injuries, and the injuries of the person who has been hit. If there’s anything you heard or saw that you think may be of interest to the police or your insurance company, make sure to record or photograph it. This information could help you in the long run.
6. Gather InformationYou’ll want to take down the other party’s information. This includes their name, address, and phone number. In return, they may need your auto insurance information. In Massachusetts, it is a state law for all car owners to have auto insurance, so you’ll want to make sure you have this information on hand. If the pedestrian is too injured to give you their information, you can contact the police department and have them find it by looking through the accident report.
7. File A ReportIn Massachusetts, if the accident caused more than $1,000 in injury, property damage, or death, you are required by law to file a report to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Even if you know that the police have already filed a report on your accident, you must do this additional step within five days of the accident’s occurrence. Make sure to send a report to the local police station so that they have a record of you filing the report.
The Law Offices of John C. Manoog III | Marion Car Accident LawyerWe hope these seven easy steps have given you a better idea of how to handle things after you’ve hit a pedestrian. Looking for a car accident lawyer near me? At The Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, Marion car accident lawyer, we have over 150 years of experience that have allowed us to win a variety of settlements and verdicts in the millions. However, don’t just take it from us! Read over our many reviews from our satisfied clients. You deserve to feel confident in your case. Contact us today!