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A Ewing Bros. tow operator loads a car onto a tow truck after an accident at Boulder Highway and Tropicana Avenue, May 17, 2011.
Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Most people have been in a car accident in some form. From Jan. 1 through Dec. 4, 2012, there were 22,060 traffic accidents — about 65 per day — reported in the jurisdiction patrolled by Metro Police.
Despite the high number of accidents, police and insurance providers continue to see errors in how people act in the aftermath of being involved in a wreck.
Here are seven tips to remember if you’re involved in a traffic accident, provided by Officer Marcus Martin, a Metro spokesman, and Bill Rohac, owner of Nevada Life Services, an independent insurance agency:
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Remain on scene
This may seem like an obvious tip, but police and insurance providers stress this point. If you leave the scene of an accident, charges could be brought against you.
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Don’t panic
Police and auto insurance experts say it’s important to try to remain calm so any damage or injuries can be properly evaluated and conveyed to emergency personnel. Take a moment to collect yourself and make sure you’re not stepping into further harm when you exit your vehicle.
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Assess injuries
When you have collected yourself, make sure you understand if you have been hurt and what injuries you may have suffered. If possible, check to see if anyone else has been hurt and how severely those people may be injured.
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Prevent further accidents
Once you’ve established what injuries you or anyone else involved might have, check to see if any vehicles or debris are in the road. If possible, move anything that could potentially cause another accident.
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911
Making an emergency call is not always necessary. Many insurance providers would encourage calling police if the collision happened in a public roadway. If you are not sure if the damage is significant enough to call for help, call just in case. For more minor accidents, you may have to go into the police station to file a report.
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Exchange information
Once you’ve properly assessed any injuries that may have been suffered, and you’ve alerted the necessary authorities, make sure to get the information of the other drivers involved. Copying the insurance information of the other driver is important, but to protect yourself against a policy that may be expired, be sure to copy down the person’s license plate and driver’s license numbers.
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Document the damage
Take pictures of the damage with your phone, or keep a disposable camera in your glove box for such an emergency. Pictures of the damage can help make your case when filing an insurance claim.
The other driver maybe fleeing a crime, drunk or on drugs. It is not necessarily a good idea to stay on the scene. If you exchange information and do these other things, the insurance company will say you were not hurt, or else how could you do this stuff.
Also tell the police: "I would love to answer your questions, but I have to wait for an insurance company representative" (they won't come, so don't answer any questions.) The cops will use what you say against you and give you a ticket. You do not see cops doing anything but lawyering up after they have a bad accident do you?
1) protect yourself
2) tell them you can move and can not talk
3)do not answer any question period
4) call an attorney
Do not be a nice guy or you will lose your rights and end up bankrupt.