I've Been In An Auto Accident: Who Should I Speak With?
A lot of people are going to want to speak with you following an accident. You are obligated to talk to some, and should not speak with others. For example, your insurance policy probably obligates you to speak openly with your own insurance company about the collision. Otherwise, they cannot assess who is at fault, and whether you are entitled to medical and wage loss no-fault benefits.
On the other hand, nothing obligates you to speak with the other driver’s insurance company. In fact, it is a good idea not to. It is likely that they will want to take your recorded statement. While you have nothing to hide, there is an appropriate time to speak with insurance representatives, and it is with the assistance of an attorney in the form of a deposition under oath, should you file suit.
You should speak honestly with the police, and with your treating doctors. You may also wish to speak with an attorney who can guide you through a host of legal issues accompanying your injuries and property damage.
Minnesota Car Accidents: What's My First Step?
It’s always best to start with the basics if you've been involved in a car accident in Minnesota. Take a moment and write down as much information as you can. Memories tend to fade with time, and certain information will come in handy at a later date.
Obtain all of the vital information of each driver, including: name, address, phone and license number, insurance company information and a policy number. Speak with anyone who witnessed the accident, including passengers in any of the involved vehicles. You will want to gather their names, addresses and phone numbers as well.
Determine which law enforcement agency responded to your crash and the officer’s badge number. This will make it easier to obtain a copy of the police report in the future. Note key facts of the accident, including the time, date, accident location, weather and road conditions. It will also be helpful to write down whether any of the involved parties accepted responsibility for the accident at the scene and whether anyone appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Minnesota Car Accident Lawyers Publish New Blog
The Minneapolis personal injury lawyers with the Brown Law Offices, P.A. are pleased to announce the launch of our new blog dedicated excluviely to issues associated with car accidents in Minnesota. We hope to educate current and potential clients on topics such as negligence, injuries, liability, insurance, experts, the court process, economic loss and pain and suffering through valuable information and answers to the most common questions asked of our attorneys.