Handling Yourself at Your Motor Vehicle Accident Scene
By: Dan Baldyga
You were struck and it’s clearly not your fault! If at all possible, don’t remove your vehicle until the police arrive , allowing them to ensure whatever evidence that may be important.
THE EYE WITNESS: You should have a pad and pen or pencil with you however it’s not a good idea to ask, “Did you witness this“?
"Why not?" You'd like to know. The answer to that is, "Because more often than not that will turn them off"!
It’s much better to ask, “What happened here?”
If the individual is willing to talk don’t insist, “Give me a written statement” . Why not? Because that seems too formal and/or demanding.
Hand them the pad and pen and say something like, “Please write down what you saw".
When that person is finished, thank them and then tell them, “I’ll go over this later. In case I can’t make something out, please, give me your name and a phone number where I can reach you if I have any questions.”
More often than not if you read their statement and insist, “Sign this,” you’ll put them on the defensive.
If they sign it great! But don’t make an issue of it because you want them on your side!
Because a witness may seem credible and may believe what they’re saying is true doesn’t mean they’re correct. Credibility and honesty have nothing to do with if their memories slip a bit .
REFUSING MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE
Many people refuse medical attention at the scene and go home. Then, after several hours of increasing pain, they’ll need help. Should they end up dealing with the typical Insurance Adjuster (who is quick to assume they’re being conned by a crooked individual) they’re told that the pain they allegedly felt had nothing to do with an injury!
That’s the reason why one should immediately demand they be brought to the closest Emergency Room.
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Whenever you’ve been the victim of somebody else’s lack of care while operating their motor vehicle, it’s crucial that you immediately contact the local police department.
Don’t listen to the other operator who may say, “Hey, we’ll handle this ourselves”.
The individual making such a statement may possibly tell a completely different story ( than the one they tell you at the scene ) when the matter is discussed with the police and/or their own insurance company.
ALSO: There’s a “Time-Lapse Of Memory” thing which (more often than not) comes into play. Many times witness’s are much better at articulating a circumstance - - even if they’re dead wrong !
An “Honest Person” may tell it exactly the way it was but they may not seem convincing; whereas a “Practiced Liar” can , persuade people to believe their story to be true - - when it’s not!
You ask, "How can Dan Baldyga be so sure of everything he's stated above"?
The answer to that one is, "Because he was right there as a Claims Adjuster, Supervisor and then Manager for over 30 years plus another 5 as a claims counsel"
Copyright (c) 2005 By Daniel G. Baldyga. All Rights Reserved
DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this article: "HANDLING YOURSELF AT YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT SCENE" is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga nor Monconton.net make any guarantee whatsoever, NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any legal service, NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is the I NDIVIDUAL’S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain such services.
Dan Baldyga’s third and latest book, AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) can be found on the internet at http://www.caraccidentclaims.com or http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com . This book reveals How To handle your property damage claim so you won’t be taken advantage of. It also goes into detail regarding BASE (The Baldyga Settlement Evaluation Formula). THE BASE FORMULA explains how to determine the value of the Pain and Suffering you endured - - because of your personal injury!
Dan Baldyga - Author
dbpaw@comcast.net
FAX: 1 (413) 731 8358
AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM
(How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss)
http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com
Or: http://www.caraccidentclaims.com