Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog

Call your insurance agent as soon as possible after an accident.

Do not admit responsibility. Exchanging information and giving facts in not the same thing as admitting responsibility! you may think that you were responsible for the accident and later learn that the other driver caused it or that the other driver was equally at fault.

See your doctor. It is always wise to have a physical exam after an accident. Your doctor may recognize injuries, sometimes serious, that are not apparent to you.

Do not sign anything. . . until you understand the full legal consequence of what you are doing.

Call your lawyer. The event of an accident has created certain legal rights and liabilities as to each driver. It is important that you know and understand what those are. A lawyer will tell you not only what your rights and obligations are, but will tell you whether further legal help is needed on merited.

If you are injured in an accident, never settle without talking with your lawyer.

Posted by Theodore F. Smith, Jr. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Glove Box Accident Handbook

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Check with your auto insurance agent to make sure your insurance coverage is adequate (including uninsured and underinsured coverage).

Buckle up! It's the law.

Speed kills! Slow down.

Check brakes and lights to make sure they work correctly.

When an accident happens, make sure you follow the requirements outlined in the Glove Box Accident Handbook.

Be sure your children are secured in child restraints.

Posted by Theodore F. Smith, Jr. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Glove Box Accident Handbook

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When an accident results in injury or death, each driver involved must:

1. Immediately stop as close to the accident scene as possible without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

2. Remain at the scene until: a) the driver has given his or her name and address and registration of the vehicle; b) if requested; the driver has shown his or her license to the driver or passengers of the other vehicle; and c) reasonable assistance has been given to each person injured in the accident including the removal, or making arrangements for removal, of the injured to a doctor or hospital.

3. Notify the police immediately.

4. File a report with the Indiana Bureau of Motors Vehicles, PRF/Crash Report Section, P.O. Box 7169, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 within 10 days after the accident. The written report can be found at http://www.in.gov/icpr/webfile/formsdiv/52441.pdf

If the driver is physically incapable of reporting as required by law then the passenger of that vehicle must file the report. If there is no passenger and the owner is someone other than the driver, the owner must file the report within 10 days after the accident.

Posted by Theodore F. Smith, Jr. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Glove Box Accident Handbook

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When an accident occurs with an unattended vehicle, the driver must:

1. Immediately stop as close to the accident scene as possible without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

2. Locate and notify the owner or driver of the vehicle of the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle striking the unattended vehicle.

3. Leave in a conspicuous place on the vehicle which was struck, a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and the owner of the vehicle mentioned above. In the note, include an explanation of how the accident happened.

Posted by Theodore F. Smith, Jr. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Glove Box Accident Handbook

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When an accident results in damage to something other than another vehicle, the driver must:

1. Immediately stop as close to the accident scene as possible without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

2. Remain at the scene until: a) the driver has taken reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner or person in change of the property that is damaged; b) the driver has given that person his or her name, address and registration; and c) if requested, the driver has shown his or her license to the person.

If the driver cannot find the owner or a person in charge of the property, then the driver must notify either the Sheriff or a member of the State Police Department and give them the information outlined above.

Posted by Theodore F. Smith, Jr. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Glove Box Accident Handbook

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When an accident does not result in injury or death, but does cause damage to a vehicle, each driver involved must:

1. Immediately stop as close to the accident scene as possible without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

2. Remain at the scene until: a) each driver has exchanged names and addresses and vehicle registrations; and b) if requested, the driver has shown his or her license to the driver or passengers of the other vehicle.

3. Send a written report to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, PRF/Crash Report Section, P.O. Box 7169, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 within 10 days after the accident, if the accident, if the accident results in total property damage of at least $1,000. The written report can be found at http://www.in.gov/icpr/webfile/formsdiv/52441.pdf

While $1,000 in property damage may seem like a lot, it is not. Often times it is hard to decide, particularly after just having been involved in a crash, whether the damage it $1,000. I believe that it is better to error on the side of caution and report the accident if there is any property damage. If there is any question, call the police to the scene!

Posted by Theodore F. Smith, Jr. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Glove Box Accident Handbook

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