MISTAKE # 3 :
Fail to Document the Accident, Photograph Vehicles, Gather Witness Information, or Call the Police
Have you ever heard the saying, “If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t exist?” The same can be said of other types of evidence. If it’s not in a...
… then it doesn’t exist. It might as well have been erased from everywhere, but your memories and beliefs that you’re deserving of the compensation needed to make you physically, emotionally and financially whole again.
When you’ve been in an accident, documentation isn’t one thing. It is everything. When you’re trying to prove a point to the insurance company, or make a case to the jury or the judge, it’s the only thing that matters. Without “evidence,” it becomes your word against the other driver or his or her insurance company.
It’s critical that as quickly as possible, you get every detail in writing, in a photograph or in a police report. As we mentioned earlier, if witnesses saw the accident, get their names, addresses and phone numbers. If they’re reluctant, make sure the police get their information.
CREATE A FOLDER FOR THE ACCIDENT. Write down all the names and numbers – of witnesses, police officers who were involved, physicians you saw at the emergency room and the towing service that removed your vehicle from the scene of the accident. If the police officer at the accident scene printed a copy of his report for you, it should be saved in the folder. Every letter that comes in from the insurance companies or the state attorney (if charges were filed) goes in that folder.
This will become your Accident Folder. It will hold every document that’s vital to your accident case. Eventually, you’ll hand this over to your attorney in support of your case.
CREATE A MEDICAL FOLDER. Accidents with no injuries don’t result in much paperwork. But accidents with even moderate injuries can amass paperwork that can quickly become overwhelming. It’s important that as medical reports, doctor’s reports, bills, statements and other paperwork arrives, that it’s quickly filed away for safekeeping. As with your Accident Folder, this will become home to every medical document vital to your accident case. You also will give this to your attorney in support of your case.
GET AND USE THE DRIVER EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION FORM. The State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Division of Florida Highway Patrol has created a “Driver Exchange of Information Form.” This form is useful in helping collect relevant and important information following an accident. It was created to assist all parties in making a thorough report to their respective insurance companies. The form is printed at the back of this book. You can download an original version from this website: http://flhsmv.gov/forms/driverexchange.html.
THE TAKEAWAY: Remember this mantra, “If it’s not written down, it doesn’t exist.” The same goes for photographs, witness statements or testimony, and other physical evidence. Collect it immediately.