what to do after a car accident minnesota

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What to Do After a Car Accident Minnesota Every driver in the North Star State should know what to do after a car accident Minnesota . When an accident occurs, it is by nature unexpected and without warning. Here is a checklist of how to handle a motor vehicle collision so that you can avoid dealing with long-term financial and medical harm. 1. Move all vehicles involved to a safe location. While you may be shocked and a bit dazed after an accident, you must get out of the road immediately. Leaving vehicles in the road creates a hazard and may lead to a second collision. If your car is drivable or push-able, move it to the shoulder of the road or another area out of the flow of traffic. Keep children and pets safe and contained if possible to prevent them from wandering into the road. In addition, set out flares or other warnings if necessary. 2. Attend to immediate injuries. The next step in the what to do after a car accident Minnesota list is to check on the safety of everyone involved. Apply first aid and call emergency medical services if necessary. It is important that you get help even for seemingly minor injuries. The injuries that occur most often in car accidents are often difficult to detect immediately. 3.Call the police if anyone is injured or if damages are significant. If you can see visible damage beyond a few small dents and scratches, call the police. In addition, you should call the police if the other driver appears to be agitated or under the influence of a substance. The police will document damage, get statements from all drivers involved, and can help with preliminary first aid until medical assistance is available. Calling the police is an important step in your what to do after a car accident Minnesota list because they can serve as impartial third party witnesses. However, it is important when speaking to the police to avoid taking responsibility or apologizing. Be honest about what happened, but give just the facts. Let the courts and the insurance companies determine who is to blame. 4. Exchange information with the other drivers involved. You will need their name and contact information, their insurance policy information, their driver’s license number, and their vehicle license plate number. If possible, take photos of the license plate, insurance card, and identification in addition to writing down the information. This is an important step in what to do after a car accident Minnesota because it will give you proof that this person was the one who was involved in the collision. 5. Document damage and injuries. Use your phone or a disposable camera kept in your vehicle to take photos of all damage and injuries , both your own and those of the other drivers. This is important because you need proof of which damage came from this accident in particular. People often deny that they caused the full amount of damage; alternately, they may claim that they had more damage than they really did. Whether this is selective memory or pure dishonesty, your what to do after a car accident Minnesota checklist should include photo evidence to set the record straight.

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Page 1: What to do after a car accident minnesota

What to Do After a Car Accident Minnesota

Every driver in the North Star State should know what to do after a car accidentMinnesota. When an accident occurs, it is by nature unexpected and without warning.Here is a checklist of how to handle a motor vehicle collision so that you can avoiddealing with long-term financial and medical harm.

1. Move all vehicles involved to a safe location. While you may be shocked and a bitdazed after an accident, you must get out of the road immediately. Leaving vehicles inthe road creates a hazard and may lead to a second collision. If your car is drivable orpush-able, move it to the shoulder of the road or another area out of the flow of traffic.Keep children and pets safe and contained if possible to prevent them from wanderinginto the road. In addition, set out flares or other warnings if necessary.

2. Attend to immediate injuries. The next step in the what to do after a car accidentMinnesota list is to check on the safety of everyone involved. Apply first aid and callemergency medical services if necessary. It is important that you get help even forseemingly minor injuries. The injuries that occur most often in car accidents are oftendifficult to detect immediately.

3.Call the police if anyone is injured or if damages are significant. If you can see visibledamage beyond a few small dents and scratches, call the police. In addition, you shouldcall the police if the other driver appears to be agitated or under the influence of asubstance. The police will document damage, get statements from all drivers involved,and can help with preliminary first aid until medical assistance is available. Calling thepolice is an important step in your what to do after a car accident Minnesota list becausethey can serve as impartial third party witnesses. However, it is important when speakingto the police to avoid taking responsibility or apologizing. Be honest about whathappened, but give just the facts. Let the courts and the insurance companies determinewho is to blame.

4. Exchange information with the other drivers involved. You will need their name andcontact information, their insurance policy information, their driver’s license number, andtheir vehicle license plate number. If possible, take photos of the license plate, insurancecard, and identification in addition to writing down the information. This is an importantstep in what to do after a car accident Minnesota because it will give you proof that thisperson was the one who was involved in the collision.

5. Document damage and injuries. Use your phone or a disposable camera kept in yourvehicle to take photos of all damage and injuries, both your own and those of the otherdrivers. This is important because you need proof of which damage came from thisaccident in particular. People often deny that they caused the full amount of damage;alternately, they may claim that they had more damage than they really did. Whether thisis selective memory or pure dishonesty, your what to do after a car accident Minnesotachecklist should include photo evidence to set the record straight.

Page 2: What to do after a car accident minnesota

6. Call your insurance to notify them of the accident. This can be a complicated processand require a great of phone tag, but it is important to begin the process as early aspossible. Do not let your insurance company attempt to minimize your injuries or theextend of the damage. If you feel that your company is trying to weasel out of providingthe coverage that you have faithfully paid for, contact a lawyer. A very important detailof your list of what to do after a car accident Minnesota is that you should never talk tosomeone from the other driver’s insurance company.

7. Seek medical care from a health care provider experienced in collision injuries.Although you may feel fine, it is important to make an appointment to get a full physical.The effects of a car accident may take days, weeks, or even months to appear. Quicktreatment will ensure that you recover completely and that someone besides you foots thebill.

8. Contact a lawyer who specializes in moving vehicle accidents. If the damage is morethan superficial, if you have injuries, or if you feel that the insurance companies involvedare serving their own best interest rather than your own, it is time to contact an attorneywho specializes in what to do after a car accident Minnesota. An attorney can work withyour insurance company to make sure you get the outcome that is best for you and fairestfor everyone involved. Whether you are at fault or not, you deserve to receive the fullbenefits of the coverage that you or the other driver purchased.