Do:
- Exchange insurance information.
- Maintain reasonable liability limits and uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments coverage.
- Talk to your insurance representative immediately, especially if the accident is your fault.
- Talk to your insurance representative immediately about benefits available under your own policy.
- Take pictures of the accident scene and damaged vehicle(s), and any bruises.
- Write a statement of your own as to what happened.
- If you consult your own lawyer about making a claim, or about defending against the other involved party's claim, do not delay any of the above recommendations.
- Pay attention to your injuries and seek medical attention for them. Resist any inclination to "tough it out."
Don't:
- Don't get angry and make angry statements to law enforcement, insurance representatives and others. Everything in its time.
- Don't low-ball your own auto insurance coverage; low limits are always inadequate.
- Don't put off getting medical attention for injuries.
- Don't give up possession of your vehicle; store it. Take pictures.
- Don't be rude to anyone involved in the accident.
- Don't forget to note the details of what people said, especially any statements of apology or admission of fault.
- Don't assume an investigator is working for you or is on your side; get legal advice!
