It can be a stressful experience if your teen is involved in an auto collision in Virginia. However, the fact that they are a less experienced driver does not mean they caused the crash. Here are crucial steps to take to help protect their right to compensation and to prove that they were not the at-fault party.
Essential Steps to Take if Your Teen Driver Is in a Car Collision
The actions you and your teen take right after a car accident will directly impact the strength of the claim against the negligent motorist. They are relying on you to tell them how to handle the situation. If possible, go to the crash scene right away. Here are crucial steps that should be taken:
- Contact the police. Your child should call the police at the crash scene. The police report will contact valuable information, such as details of how the collision occurred, the officer’s conclusions about who caused it, and whether any traffic citation was issued.
- Obtain contact information. Your teen should obtain the contact information for the other motorist and their insurance company. Tell them to also get this information for witnesses who saw the crash occur.
- Get prompt medical care. Your teenager should be examined by a doctor within 72 hours of the wreck—even if they do not think they were injured. This protects their health and avoids disputes with the insurance company about the cause of their injuries.
- Make no statements. Warn your child not to make any statements that could be misconstrued as an admission of fault by the other driver, their insurance company, or the police.
- Take photos. Instruct your teenager to take pictures with their cellphone camera of the damage to both vehicles, road and weather conditions, their injuries, and anything else they believe would be helpful if they need to file a claim.
- Write notes. Also, encourage your teen driver to take notes on their cellphone of all the important details about the accident while they are fresh in their mind.
- Get the car towed. If your child’s vehicle is too damaged to drive, arrange for a towing company to tow it to an auto repair facility.
- Contact a lawyer. You should retain a skilled car accident attorney as soon as possible after the auto collision to file your teen’s claim with the insurance company and negotiate their settlement.
Was your teenager injured in a car crash in Virginia Beach or Norfolk? It can be confusing to help them take the necessary steps to protect their rights. Our experienced car accident attorneys can explain your teenager’s options to you, file their claim, and negotiate their settlement with the insurance company. To learn more about how we can assist you, call our Norfolk office at 757-625-1214 or complete our convenient online form to schedule a free consultation today.
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