GJEL Accident Attorneys Provides on-the-Scene Accident Checklist; All Motorists Encouraged to Carry Checklist in Vehicle Glove Box

GJEL Accident Attorneys has developed a checklist for motorists of all ages to keep in the vehicle's glove box. This simple list provides guidelines for what to do on the scene of an accident. Most people panic and forget to record license plates, drivers, insurance or witness contacts.

San Francisco (Vocus) February 11, 2010

Gillin Jacobson Ellis & Larsen (GJEL Accident Attorneys), a catastrophic injury and wrongful death law firm in the San Francisco Bay area, advises every motorist to keep an accident checklist handy in the vehicle glove box so that drivers and passengers will know what to do in the event of collision.

“Immediately following an accident, a large percentage of people panic and are unsure what to do,” said Andrew Gillin, managing partner of GJEL. “We're hopeful this on-the-scene accident checklist will provide guidance for drivers of all ages.”

In the personal-injury cases GJEL Accident Attorneys manages, the most frequently forgotten piece of information involves witnesses. If a driver or passenger is not injured, they should consider obtaining contact information about witnesses themselves. There are times officers at the scene are busy taking statements from drivers and passengers, and witnesses may fall through the cracks.

“Some witnesses may overhear a statement by an at-fault driver even when they may not have seen an accident first hand,” said Gillin. “It’s also important for drivers to take down other vehicles’ license plates, just in case a vehicle is owned by someone other than the driver.”

GJEL ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS ON-THE-SCENE CHECKLIST

1.    Keep this checklist in the glove box near the auto registration.
2.    Keep a disposable camera handy or mobile phone with camera to document the scene of the accident.
3.    Stay calm and immediately contact 9-1-1 to bring police/rescue teams to the scene.
4.    If you’ve been injured, do not attempt to leave your vehicle.
5.    If other drivers/passengers are injured, do not pull them from the vehicle.
6.    Obtain all information: license plates, insurance information, drivers’ licenses, drivers’ contacts.
7.    Take photographs at the scene of the accident before you move your vehicle.
8.     Identify any witnesses and record contact information.
9.    Remain at the scene of an accident and wait for a police officer to arrive; note if other drivers leave.
10.    Obtain a copy of the police officer’s accident report for further reference.
11.    Contact your insurance company and have copies of the accident report available to send.
12.    See a physician immediately to treat injuries after the accident.
13.    Keep copies of all communication relating to the accident.
14.    Determine whether to reach a personal injury or accident attorney to help with your case.

About Gillin Jacobson Ellis & Larsen
GJEL Accident Attorneys is a San Francisco Bay area law firm representing plaintiffs in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Since 1972, Gillin Jacobson Ellis & Larsen has obtained recoveries in more than 99 percent of its cases.

###