Collision FAQ's

I was in a collision in Las Vegas just a few hours ago. What should I do now?
You should go to your primary physician or to an emergency room today or at least as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel like you were hurt in the collision or if your injuries seem minor. It’s best to be sure about your physical condition and your prognosis after a collision, and only medical professionals can be the true judge of your injury. Besides, some medical conditions and injuries that arise in collisions do not show their symptoms for hours, days or longer after the collision.

What kind of information should I record after a collision?
You should write down all the details that you can think of regarding the collision, including:

• the location
• date and time
• weather condition, road condition
• the people involved, including passengers, pedestrians; their name, address, phone number, etc.
• the other driver’s insurance information
• notes about what other people involved in the collision said at the scene
• the makes and models of the vehicles involved
• your injuries

Is it okay to discuss the collision?
It’s best that you don’t discuss the collision with anybody other than the police or highway patrol officer at the scene, the doctor and other healthcare staff who examine you, and your lawyer. If you have to file an insurance claim, you will need to describe the events of the collision to a claims representative. However, if an insurance agent tries to offer you a settlement, it’s in your best interest to consult with an attorney first.

Who will pay for the treatment I needed and further medical bills from the injury?
The individual who caused the collision and his/her insurance company are responsible for compensating you for the cost of your injuries. If there are questions about who caused the collision, it may take some time to sort out the circumstances and arrive at a decision regarding the payment of medical bills. Keep in mind that:

• in some collisions, both drivers share some responsibility
• in other cases, only one party is clearly at fault

Do I need a lawyer to handle this?
If your collision resulted in anything more than minor property damage, it’s best to have a lawyer working on your behalf. The auto insurance companies (yours and that of the other parties involved) are not really in business to help you; they’re in business to make money. To get full and fair compensation for your losses, you’ll have much more leverage when you have an experienced attorney or law firm on your side.

Contact Benson, Bertoldo, Baker, & Carter today to discuss the circumstances of your collision in a free, no-obligation consultation.