Collision Victim Rights

What You Should Know —

Things to do in the first 48 hours after an auto collision in Arkansas:

1. Report the collision to police if you are able.

2. Do not apologize for the collision or say anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault.

3. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

4. See a doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible. If you delay seeking treatment, it will be hard for you to prove your injuries were caused by the car collision. Tell your doctor who treats you that you were in a collision.

5. After you have received medical attention, take pictures of the collision scene and the cars involved, including the license plate and door placard information of the at-fault driver, if any.

6. Write down a detailed statement about the collision. Include any details you can remember. Did the other car have a company name or logo? Did the condition of the road contribute to the collision?

7. Call your car insurance company. Give them the basic facts of the collision, including the time, location, and the names of people who were injured. Do not give a recorded statement without talking to an attorney.

8. Contact an Arkansas auto collision attorney as soon as possible. Bring your insurance documents to the consultation. Most Arkansas attorneys who handle car collision cases offer a free initial consultation. Don't give up if one attorney is not interested in your case. Many attorneys obtain successful results in car collision cases another attorney has turned down.

9. If you hire an attorney, let him or her handle all communications with both your car insurance company concerning your PIP claim and the insurance company of the at-fault driver.

10. Keep a diary of your medical treatment and how your life has changed since the auto collision.

11. If you are having to take prescription or over-the-counter medication consistently for pain, keep the empty bottles in a plastic bag in an out-of-the-way place.