Your Attorney’s CYA Collision Kit

Checklist to Protect Yourself Before a Collision:

1. Maximize Your PIP Coverage

• Ensure you have the highest amount of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage allowed.
• You don’t need med-pay etc. You want PIP.

2. Maximize UIM Coverage

• Make sure you have the highest amount of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Bodily Injury Coverage.
  • (The law says this amount cannot be more than your liability limits.)
  • If you can afford 100k in bodily injury liability and UIM Coverage, do it.
• Pay the extra amount for PIP and UIM, it’s worth it

3. Buy and Install a Vehicle DASH CAMERA for the front (and, if possible, for the back of your vehicle).

• Remember to purchase a memory card/wiring kit if needed!Read the reviews.
• Make sure your dash cam turns on and records automatically while you are driving.
• Test the dash cam at least 3 times per year to ensure it is properly recording.

4. Ensure you have a car charger for your cell phone.

• Your cell phone should be fully charged while driving.
• Download a recording app on your phone, just in case.
• You should know how to work your camera in case of a collision.
• Purchase a disposable camera and keep it in your glove box or center console in the event that your phone doesn’t work.

5. Put the Collision Checklist in your wallet, center console, or glove box near your insurance card so it is easily accessible in case of a collision.

AFTER THE COLLISION:

Checklist:

1. Use Your Phone & Take Quick Pics of Scene While Ensuring Everyone Is OK

• Before you exit your car/while exiting, QUICKLY use your cell phone to take photos of:
• Other vehicle;
• Other vehicle’s license plate;
• Position of both vehicles; and
• Scene of the collision
  • Ensure everyone is OK

2. Call Police

• Determine your Location.
• Call 9-1-1.
• Request Officer & Crash Report (CR-3).
• Request ambulance if needed.
• If other driver is aggressive, let 9-1-1 know.

3. Relocate Vehicles

• Designate a nearby safe location that everyone agrees on to move vehicles.
• Ask witnesses to follow you to the chosen location or get their contact info if they wont.
• If possible, relocate vehicles to a safe location nearby so you aren’t blocking traffic.

5. Document & Exchange Information

• Exchange Insurance Information & contact information with other driver.
• Take pictures of adverse driver’s license and insurance card with phone.

• Gather Witness Contact Information (see attached).
  • Have them send you a text if that is easier and ensure you receive it.
  • Have them text you what they saw if they are able. Or they can leave you a voicemail.
  • Have them call 9-1-1 and ask to leave a statement of the collision.
• Take pictures of witness driver license if they will let you.

7. Photos

• Take more detailed Photos/Videos of
  • Vehicles/Scene/Injuries

8. Medical

• Get a Medical Evaluation on the same day or the very next day.

9. Know Your Rights

• Call/Text Your Attorney: 512-522-5330

DOCUMENT THE FOLLOWING:

Adverse Driver Information

1. Driver’s Name:
2. Insurance Provider:
3. Insurance Company’s Phone Number:
4. Insurance Policy Number:
5. Vehicle Make and Model:
6. License Plate Number:
7. Driver’s License Number:
8. Take Pictures and Note any damage to either vehicle:

Witness (1) information

1. Name:
2. Phone Number:
3. Email Address:
4. Mailing Address:
5. Statement of what you saw:

Witness (2) information

1. Name:
2. Phone Number:
3. Email Address:
4. Mailing Address:
5. Statement of what you saw:

Witness (3) information

1. Name:
2. Phone Number:
3. Email Address:
4. Mailing Address:
5. Statement of what you saw:

PHOTO & VIDEO:

Take Pictures of the Following:

1. Scene – Location, position of vehicles, etc.
2. Your vehicle from all angles
3. Your vehicle’s damage
4. Adverse vehicle from all angles
5. Adverse vehicle damage
6. Apparent Injuries if possible

Do Not:

1. Do not admit fault
2. Do not apologize
3. Do not make a recorded statement to an insurance company unless I tell you to!
   • It is OK to call your insurance company to let them know you were hit in a collision and you are going to make a claim with the other person’s insurance. Do this before the other driver calls them. No need to make a recorded statement because you need to talk to your lawyer first.
4. Do not post on social media about collision
5. Do not wait to receive medical attention

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS:

Call and/or Text Your Attorney ASAP:

If you’re injured in a trucking or car collision, call Courtney Dibrell Graham, Accident Injury Attorney, 512-522-5330