Notifying Responsible Parties

If you are ever injured in a car crash, chances are you will want to file a personal injury claim against those responsible for the incident. However, you also must know who specifically to notify and how exactly to do so.

First Steps After an Accident

Before you even consider notifying anybody about your car crash and injuries, make sure you and anyone involved in the accident is safe.

After you have been involved and injured in a car crash, you should:

  • Seek medical attention as necessary.
  • File an accident report.
  • Provide AND ask for the following:
    • Contact information (name, phone number, etc.)
    • Driver's license number.
    • Car insurance info.

There are also a few things you should not do:

  • Don't admit fault
    • If you do, then it could come back to hurt you in court.
  • Try not to provide any information that is not required by law.
  • Do NOT act angry or threatening toward the other drivers.

Who to Notify After a Car Crash

If you are involved in a car accident that left you injured or with property damage, you may be able to seek compensation from anyone responsible for the accident. When you're deciding who's at fault, consider anyone who could be in any way at fault.

Common examples of people you might want to notify after a car crash include:

  • Drivers and/or owners of all cars involved in the auto accident.
  • The employer of the driver, if they were driving for business purposes.
  • Your car insurance provider.
  • The insurance companies of others involved in the auto accident.

Once you know who you want to notify, writing an official notification letter is the next step.

How to Notify Responsible Parties

Once you have determined who is at fault for your injuries, write them a notification letter as soon as possible. By sending the letter, you are letting them know that you will seek compensation for the injuries that you endured.

While writing the letter, do not discuss fault or the extent of your injuries, as doing so could weaken your claim in court. Instead, you should include:

  • The date that you are writing the letter.
  • Your name and address.
  • Date, time of day, and location of the accident.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, when sending a notification letter to your own auto insurance company, you should also include the other driver's:

  • Name.
  • Address.
  • Contact information.

When notifying the other driver(s) of your intent to seek compensation, you have a couple choices. Either:

  • Request that they contact their own insurance company, if they haven't done so already.
    OR
  • Contact their insurance carrier yourself.
    • You should ask for a confirmation letter to ensure that the company received your notification.

Quick Tips for Notification Letters

Before you send out your notification letter, consider these following tips:

  • You should write notification letters to anyone who you think might be at fault.
    • Don't leave any possibilities out.
    • If your attorney or insurance company finds fault with someone that you decided not to notify, it will be difficult to start a claim against them.
  • While there is no deadline, you should send your letter out as soon as possible.
    • You'll have all the details of the incident fresh in your mind.
    • It will give the other people involved less of a chance to escape the charges.
  • Your letter is there simply to tell the other people involved in the accident that you intend to file a personal injury claim.
    • This does not necessarily mean that they will be involved in the claim.
    • It does not obligate you to seek compensation.
  • Make sure to use a professional voice.
    • Do NOT make personal threats of any kind. Your notification letter will serve as a legal document, and you'll want it to sound as credible as possible.
  • Make copies of all the notification letters you send out.
    • This is good proof that you made efforts to notify the other people involved.
    • If you do not receive a response from the recipients or their insurance companies, send them another letter with a post office return receipt.
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