Drivers should follow several important rules after a collision in Iowa City

Iowa City, IA – Drivers are required by law to follow certain procedures immediately after a motor vehicle accident. This is important for the purposes of preserving evidence, formally reporting the incident, and maximizing the chances of collecting money to pay for various costs caused by the collision.

Insurance claims

If a driver wants to reserve their right to be compensated through the insurance claim process, they should contact their provider as soon as possible after the collision to report the situation. This will start the formal claim and notify the company of the accident. They may also send out an adjuster to view the damage and take other steps to verify the amount of losses associated with a collision. For people involved in collisions that only consist of vehicle damage or other minor problems, the insurance process is usually sufficient to cover their costs and problems related to the accident.

Illegally leaving the scene

In some situations, a driver involved may leave the scene immediately. This is technically a crime and many individuals who engage in this kind of behavior do so because they do not have proper credentials such as insurance and a vehicle registration. Other drivers who remain at the scene should still contact local law enforcement and their insurance provider and notify them that other drivers involved illegally left the accident area.

The accident report

After police arrive at the scene and interview the individuals involved. They will create a formal report with important facts about the time and place of the accident, along with other surrounding circumstances that may have contributed to the collision. Depending on the specifics of the accident and who is at fault, the report may become an important piece of evidence in any trial related to the collision.

Contacting a personal injury lawyer

Many accident victims, especially those with serious injuries and long periods of time out of work, will find that the insurance process is not helpful for paying for large amounts of medical costs and missed time from work. This is partially due to the fact that most policies have maximum payouts in the tens of thousands of dollars. Medical costs for treatment can easily surpass this amount, especially if long term care is required or specialist doctors must be utilized.

Getting more information after a car collision

People who have been involved in motor vehicle accidents have the option of speaking with a lawyer about their situation and bringing a civil case against the person responsible. Eells and Tronvold Law Offices is a firm that focuses on helping people with this process in the Iowa City area.

Firm contact info:

Eells and Tronvold Law Offices

1921 51st Street NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-2400

319-393-1020