1. Stop. You must stay at the scene. You can move the cars to a safe place if necessary, but do not leave the area.
2. Check for injuries for you, your passengers, and other involved in the accident. If seriously injured, go straight to the emergency room.
3. Call 911 or the Police. You need a police report for insurance purposes.
4. Use your cell phone camera. Take pictures of vehicle damage, skid marks, and of the accident scene. Record possible admissions on video.
5. Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name, insurance information, license plate number, and driver’s license number.
6. Seek medical treatment. The sooner you seek treatment, the better. Insurance companies will use gaps or delays in treatment, even minor ones, against you. Some injuries are not apparent for several days. Even when the car sustains minor damage, you can be injured. Did you or the car absorb contact?
7. Do not admit fault, guilt, apologize, or accept responsibility.
8. Do not provide a recorded statement to the insurance company. They will attempt to distort your words to be used against you.
9. Have proper insurance coverage. Current minimum requirements in Ohio are $25,000 for injury/death of one person and $50,000 for injury/death of two or more people. That goes quickly. Do you have Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage? Do you need an umbrella policy? Do not go cheap with low policy limits.
10. Hire an experienced lawyer. You should contact an experienced Cincinnati car accident lawyer as soon as possible following your accident. An attorney will guide and help you think through a variety of circumstances that might otherwise be overlooked, possibly costing you a substantial amount of money.
