Ledyard Law
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What should I do if I was a passenger in a car wreck?

Your first priorities after a car wreck are getting help, protecting your safety, and keeping an accurate record of what happened.

IF YOU ARE INJURED, SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Safety and medical care come first. Call 911 when someone is injured. Help everyone move out of traffic if you can do so safely. Gathering evidence should not delay emergency care.

TRY TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHO IS AT FAULT.

Even if you aren’t sure, your first instinct is usually right. If someone was speeding, violating traffic laws, or driving in an unsafe way, they are often at fault for vehicle collisions. As a passenger, your claim depends on who caused the collision and which insurance policies apply in the specific situation.

GATHER EVIDENCE; TAKE PICTURES, VIDEO, AND OBTAIN DOCUMENTS.

Identify everyone involved. Keep information for your driver and the other drivers. Explain where you were sitting and what you personally saw or heard. Try to obtain insurance details, witness contacts, photographs, and retrieve any police incident reports. Include vehicle positions, damage, and road conditions whenever possible.

EVEN IF YOU AREN’T SURE, AN ATTORNEY MAY MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR CASE.

A qualified Attorney can help review possible payment sources. Without experience, it can be difficult to find the responsible driver’s insurance, available PIP benefits, or determine what to do in a hit-and-run. Being a passenger makes things even more complex.

KEEP YOURSELF IN THE LOOP.

Follow through afterward. Notify your insurer promptly, follow your medical provider’s recommendations, and keep treatment records, receipts, and information about missed work. If you or a loved one have been severely injured, it may make sense to allow a qualified Attorney to take on your case while you focus on recovery.

WHAT'S SHOULD I EXPECT MOVING FORWARD?

Stay in communications with your medical provider and legal team. More than one insurance company may be involved. Your team will explain which information each insurer needs.Keeping claim numbers, documents, and notes about conversations together makes follow-up easier.

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