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Accident Tips

Vehicular Accident Tips

The following tips are designed to help you take the necessary steps to protect your legal rights after an accident involving a vehicle:

• Stay Calm:
  Stop to protect your passengers and car. Call an ambulance for any injured person. Set flares if you carry them, and do not leave the scene. 
  
  
• Seek Medical Treatment:
  Get medical help as soon as possible. Make sure your medical provider knows exactly how you were injured and each part of your body that is painful or uncomfortable. 
  
  
• Exchange Documents:
  Don't discuss the accident with anyone other than an investigating police officer. Exchange only your license, registration, and motor vehicle identification card. 
  
  
• Driver Facts:
  Take down the name, address, driver's license number and state, date of birth, sex, and the phone number of the other driver. 
  
  
• Ownership Facts:
  The person driving may not be the owner of the vehicle. Be sure to write down the name, address, and the insurance company of the owner of the other vehicle involved. 
  
  
• Witnesses:
  Be sure to write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any people who saw the accident but weren't involved in it. 
  
  
• Damages:
  Note the make, body type, year and license number of the other vehicle. Also, make note of the damage to the other vehicle and your own vehicle. Take photographs of the damage to your vehicle as soon as possible. Likewise, have someone take photographs of your injuries (bruises, cuts, etc.) as soon as possible. 
  
  
• Draw a Diagram:
  Draw a diagram of the accident. Make note the date and time of the accident below the diagram. Also, be sure to write down the accident location including the street, intersection, or any landmarks. 
  
  
• Report the Accident:
  Report the accident to your insurance representative immediately. If the accident is investigated by a police officer, obtain the name of the officer and the department for which he works. 
  
  
• Contact An Attorney:
  Contact an attorney before you talk to the insurance company or sign any papers if you were injured in the accident. 
  

Slip and Fall Tips

If you fall on another's premises and are injured, the following tips will help you protect your rights:

• Report the Fall:
  Immediately report your fall to the store manager, landlord, homeowner, or person in charge of the facility where you fell. 
  
  
• Witnesses:
  Collect the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses. 
  
  
• Complete and Obtain an Accident Report:
  Ask to complete an accident report if your fall occurred on the premises of a business. If a report is completed, demand a copy in a polite but firm manner. 
  
  
• Take Notes:
  Take notes of any conditions that may have contributed to your fall. These might include deteriorated sidewalks, foreign substances, or ice or snow left uncleared for an unreasonable amount of time. 
  
  
• Preserve Evidence:
  If possible, obtain a sample of whatever caused your fall and keep it in a safe storage place. If it is perishable, preserve it in an appropriate manner. For example, it may be able to be frozen in your freezer. Place the shoes and clothing that you were wearing at the time of your fall in a safe storage place. 
  
  
• Seek Medical Treatment:
  Get medical help as soon as possible. Make sure your medical provider knows exactly how you were injured and each part of your body that is painful or uncomfortable. 
  
  
• Take Photos:
  If possible, return to where you fell to photograph the area. 
  
  
• Contact An Attorney:
  Contact an attorney before you talk to the insurance company or sign any papers if you were injured in your fall. 
  

Work-Related Injury Tips

If you are injured on the job, the following tips will help preserve your rights:

• Report Your Injury:
  Immediately report your injury to your supervisor or someone in a supervisory position. 
  
  
• Witnesses:
  Note the names of any co-workers or anyone else who may have witnessed the incident causing your injury. 
  
  
• Seek Medical Treatment:
  Immediately seek medical treatment for your injury with a medical provider of your choosing. You are not required to treat with a medical provider recommended by your employer. Make sure the medical provider who treats you understands your injury occurred at work, and also make sure you clearly explain to the provider each part of your body that is painful or uncomfortable. 
  
  
• Contact an Attorney:
  Contact an attorney as soon as possible to assure all your statutory rights under the applicable workers' compensation statute are being honored.

Dog-Bite Tips

• Seek Medical Attention:
  Immediately seek medical attention regardless of the severity of the bite. Even minor bites can cause infection, tetanus, or rabies. 
  
  
• Report the Bite:
  Report the bite to the police, animal control, and the dog's owner (if known). 
  
  
• Determine Dog's Breed:
  If possible, note the type of dog that has bitten you. 
  
  
• Determine Dog's Owner:
  Try to get the name, address, and phone number of the dog's owner. If you talk to the owner, obtain the name and phone number of the owner's homeowners' insurance company. 
  
  
• Take Photographs:
  Take photographs of your injury or injuries resulting from the bite. If possible, try to take a photograph of the dog. 
  
  
• Witnesses:
  Get the name, address, and phone number of every witness to the bite. 
  
  
• Contact an Attorney:
  Make sure an attorney deals with the homeowners' insurance company to preserve your rights.