Auto Accident Checklist for Washington State and Seattle area

Things you should do after an automobile accident:

• If possible, call the police, and if anyone is injured, ask for emergency medical personnel to be summoned. If the police can not be summoned, make a police report immediately with the local police department of the city where the accident occurred.
  
  
• Exchange insurance information with all other drivers involved in the accident. Obtain the following information from the other driver(s) involved in the accident - name, address, phone number, drivers license number (including expiration date), license plate number, registration, and insurance information, including the specific insurance policy number.
  
  
• If the owner of the other vehicle involved in the accident is not the same as the driver, you should also obtain the owner's name, address, phone number and insurance information.
  
  
• Promptly see a doctor or go to a hospital if you are injured. Often, injuries are not immediately apparent.
  
  
• Follow all recommendations and prescriptions of your doctor.
  
  
• Promptly notify your own insurance company that you were in an accident. Obtain a claim number and make clear that you wish to have a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) file opened to preserve all of your rights under your policy.
  
  
• Notify your place of employment if you are unable to work.
  
  
• Seek representation with an experienced personal injury attorney. This should be done promptly, as you have only a fixed period of time to make certain legal claims.

Things you should not do after an automobile accident:

• Give a statement to the other driver's insurance representative outside of the presence of your attorney.
  
  
• Accept settlement with the other driver's insurance company without first consulting an attorney.
  
  
• Withhold information from your attorney as to how the accident happened, the injuries you received, or your pre-accident medical condition. All discussions with your attorney are privileged and cannot be disclosed.
  
  
• Exaggerate the real extent of your injury, stay off work when it is not medically necessary, or receive more medical treatment than is necessary.
  

Call my office at (206) 381-3210 (Seattle) or (253) 874-5826 (Federal Way) to arrange your confidential consultation.