Kenneth Vercammen (732) 572-0500

2053 Woodbridge Ave. Edison, NJ 08817

Ken is a NJ trial attorney who has published 130 articles in national and New Jersey publications on litigation topics. He was awarded the NJ State Bar Municipal Court Practitioner of the Year. He lectures for the Bar and handles litigation matters. He is Past Chair of the ABA Tort & Insurance Committee, GP on Personal Injury and lectured at the ABA Annual Meeting attended by 10,000 attorneys and professionals.

New clients email us evenings and weekends go to www.njlaws.com/ContactKenV.htm

Thursday, July 24, 2008

What to do in an Accident

We sincerely hope that you and your family will enjoy safe motoring, free from accident. If however you do have an accident, to protect your legal rights, the following suggestions may be helpful:
At The Accident Scene -

1. Stop . . . do not leave the scene of the accident

(a) DIRECT OTHER TRAFFIC around the accident.

(b) HELP THE INJURED but don't move them unless absolutely necessary.

(c) CALL THE POLICE, tell them where the accident occurred and ask for medical help if needed.

2. Get names, addresses, and license numbers of all drivers involved.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

3. Get description and registration number and insurance information of all cars involved.

_____________________________________

License Plate Number

____________________________________

Registration #

Make ___________ Year _________

____________________________________

Damage

______________________________________________________

Insurance Company

____________________________________

Insurance Policy Number

4. Get names and addresses of all witnesses (other than passengers)

_________________________________________________

Name

_______________________________________________

Address

_________________________________________________

Phone

______________________________________________________

Name

_______________________________________________

Address

_________________________________________________

Phone

5. Police Officers

__________________________________________________

Department

________________________________________________

Officer.

_______________________________________________

Badge No.

______________________________________________________

Officer.

______________________________________________________

Badge No.

6. Accident Information

_________________ _________________

Date Time

______________________________________________________

Location _______________________________________________________

No. of vehicles involved

_____________________________________________________

Weather

______________________________________________________

Road conditions

________________________________________________________

Damage

______________________________________________________

Speed of the other car

6. Summary of accident

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

7. Diagram of accident

8. Make sure no one is injured. If anyone is injured call an ambulance. If you have any reason to suspect you were injured in the accident, see a physician promptly. You'll want it on record that you sought treatment right away - not in a week or so .

9. Witnesses will be a tremendous help to you in any subsequent court action, if there is any question of liability involved. Get the names and addresses of as many witnesses as possible. If they refuse to identify themselves, jot down the license plate numbers of the their automobiles. Do not discuss the accident with the witnesses. Do not give the witnesses to anyone but the police, your attorney or your insurance company.

10. Do not assign or accept blame for the accident.

- The scene of the accident is not the place to determine fault. Discuss the accident only with the police, your attorney and with representatives of your insurance company. Give the other party only your drivers license number, registration number and insurance information.

- Be cooperative with the police.

11. Seek hospital attention.

12. Speak with your Doctor or Chiropractor

13. Call your insurance company to report the accident.

14. Call: Kenneth A. Vercammen, Attorney At Law (732) 572-0500

When you need help the most, we will be ready to help you.

15. Never give a signed statement to the claims adjuster representing the other driver's insurance company. The same goes for a phone recording. They may be used against you in court.

16 . What you must always have in your car.....

a.- Drivers License

b.- Car Registration

c.- Insurance Card

d.- This Flyer on Accidents

e.- A Working Pen

f. - Quarters for Phone Calls

(Ambulance/First Aid and Police)

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