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A parent can arrive to find broken glass scattered across the shoulder and a backpack lying on the ground near the car. Between the emergency response, a tow truck driver with his clipboard and a teen driver who is scared or injured, some critical pieces of information can be lost. What happens in the days after a crash can impact medical treatment, insurance claims, time out of school and the accident claim itself.
Listen To A Teenager’s Statement
A teenager standing next to a crumpled bumper might tell you he or she is okay even though they are holding their wrist and can’t remember whether the light was red or green. Under stress, teens might give an inaccurate account because they are embarrassed or worried about getting in trouble. Initial statements might end up in a police report or insurance file. Parents should advise their teen to provide accurate answers and not guess if they can’t remember something. In addition, the following steps should be considered:
- Take pictures of skid marks, debris, vehicle damage and any traffic signals or signs.
- Save any clothing, glasses or electronics that were damaged.
- Obtain names and contact information for witnesses.
- Keep receipts and paperwork associated with the accident including the tow truck receipt.
There is also the issue of medical treatment. An ache that feels like nothing after being illuminated by a bright hospital room lamp may be very different the next day. Any doctor’s discharge summary, medications and follow-up care instructions should be kept in one location, not just thrown in a glove box.
Prepare For An Insurance Call
An adjuster might call while the cereal bowls are still in the sink to get an official recorded statement from the teen. The questions may seem innocuous, but details related to speed, injuries, passengers and cell phone usage (explanation) could impact the claim. Parents don’t need to improvise an unexpected interview. They should find out what company the adjuster works for, what kind of policy is involved and whether the call is optional. Save all voicemails and maintain a running list of calls on the kitchen counter to avoid misremembering conversations later. Vito & Dollenmaier Law will handle communications with the insurance company, review records available and ensure that early statements don’t lead to issues. An attorney may need to obtain photographs, electronic data, witnesses and other evidence before the vehicle is repaired or released from impound.
Document Absences And Healing
Injuries might involve more than a bill stuffed in a brown envelope. Concussions can cause light sensitivity, which is explained well at www.nature.com/articles, that makes it difficult to sit in front of a computer. A fractured shoulder can keep a teen from carrying a musical instrument or stocking a display after school or playing sports. Parents should save any absence notifications, emails from teachers, schedules and pay stubs from jobs, and restrictions from extracurricular activities. Keep a simple calendar that includes missed school days, headaches after homework, physical therapy visits and nights when pain caused insomnia. These mundane details can illustrate how the injuries affect everyday life. Social media also needs to be monitored. A picture of a teenager smiling at a birthday dinner table might look very different to someone who doesn’t see the ice pack under the table. Teens should avoid talking about the accident, posting pictures of vehicles or answering questions from strangers online.
Understand The Applicable Coverage
Insurance coverage gets complicated if a teen was driving a family sedan, a neighbor’s truck or a friend’s car with a faded sticker on the windshield. There may be coverage associated with the owner, the household, the age and experience of the driver, and any other involved parties. An attorney can review the declarations, exclusions, permission to operate the vehicle, uninsured motorist provisions and other policy terms. Medical payments coverage should also be reviewed as well as any deadlines listed in the depths of the contract. Each situation is unique, so there is no guarantee of an outcome.
Since the injured party is a teenager, the process for resolving the claim may be different than if he were an adult. State laws vary, but in some instances, the court may have to approve a settlement if it goes above a certain amount; the money may also need to go into a guardianship account or other protective arrangement.
Parents should also inquire about statutes of limitations for both the teen’s injuries and the out-of-pocket expenses paid by the parents.
Assist A Teen After An Accident
Once the tow yard trip and first set of bills are complete, parents should concentrate on treatment, record keeping and thoughtful responses. Holding on to seemingly inconsequential items like a schedule, a supervisor’s email or a picture of a dented door could help an attorney piece together the facts as a teenager focuses on recovery and returning to a normal life.
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