Some of the most common mistakes people make following a collision is not calling the police and/or moving your vehicle.   Some people are simply talked into not calling the police and they feel pressured into thinking that the drivers can simply "exchange their information" and are on their way.    Other people feel embarrassed that their vehicles are tying up traffic and believe  they've got to "get out of the way."  Horns honk, tempers flare and all of a sudden, your case loses some of its strength.

            After a collision, call the police to the scene and do not move your vehicles unless and until directed by the police.   Calling the police is an important part to the initial investigation and fault determination.   Calling the police also will assist you in documenting your case to the insurance company and documenting many factual pieces of evidence that police officers are required to note on their reports when they arrive at a collision scene.   Calling the police will also help you later on when or if an insurance adjuster or an insurance defense lawyer is reviewing your claim.  They typically will argue "how serious or bad could you have been hurt if you didn't even call the police to the scene." 

            Equally important to assisting the documentation of your claim is not moving your vehicle until the police officer tells you to.   If you move your vehicle before the police arrive, this will usually cause the police to decline to issue any citations or tickets because their investigation cannot document accurately the location of the vehicles.  Police officers frequently remind us of this while interviewing them about their investigation and report.   So, don't move your vehicle until told to do so by the police.

            When the police are called to the scene they will also assist in determining whether the drivers have insurance.   They typically make each driver produce proof of insurance.   Police officers compile an "exchange of information sheet" and they will write down all of the other driver's information such as name, address, telephone number, accident report number, insurance company and policy number.   This will assist your attorney in getting the claim started. 

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