METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF MANAGING ACCIDENT COMMUNICATIONS OVER A NETWORK

• US 20150172894A1
• Filed: 12/18/2013
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medlegal Network, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medlegal Network, Inc.
• Inventors: Gabel, Gershon
• Granted Patent: US 9,877,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

Systems and methods are configured to detect the occurrence of accidents, and to collect, process, and distribute accident related data. The accident related information may include location information, accident image information, and/or other information. Optionally, upon detection of an accident, emergency contacts of a user involved in the accident may be automatically notified of the accident. Service providers may be contacted over a network to provide accident-related services.

Claims

1. A method of managing accident-related communications, comprising:

providing an application, comprising software, configured to be downloaded to a mobile device of a user, wherein the application is configured to;

enable the user to report, to an accident information processing system, vehicular accidents, via a first set of user interfaces, the first set of user interfaces configured to receive vehicular accident related information comprising;

a name of a driver of a vehicle involved in the vehicular accident;

a driver'"'"'s license number of the driver;

contact information of the driver;

insurance information of the driver;

an indication as to whether there were passengers in at least one vehicle involved in the vehicular accident;

an indication as to whether the vehicular accident was reported to the police;

an indication as to whether the vehicular accident resulted in a physical injury;

an indication as to whether there was at least one witness to the vehicular accident and whether there are associated electronically recorded voice and/or image testimonies;

image information related to the vehicular accident;

enable the user to report workplace accidents, to the accident information processing system, via a second set of user interfaces different than the first set of user interface, the second set of user interfaces configured to receive workplace accident related information comprising;

an employer name;

employer contact information;

an indication as to whether the user is currently working for the employer;

an indication as to whether the user reported the workplace accident to the employer;

an indication as to when the user last obtained medical services;

workplace-related insurance information;

enable the user to request referrals to least a taxi service, a tow service, and an attorney;

enable the user to specify one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided if an accident occurs;

enable the user to activate a camera flash on the user mobile device independently of capturing an image using a camera of the mobile device;

enable the user to capture an image using the mobile device camera;

receiving at the accident information processing system a first accident report regarding a first accident via the downloaded application installed on the user mobile device;

at least partly in response to receiving the first accident report, automatically transmitting an accident notification to the user-specified one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided;

determining, by the accident information processing system, what type of accident the user is reporting based at least in part on information associated with the first accident report;

determining, by the accident information processing system, a location of the first accident based at least in part on the first accident report and/or determining a physical address associated with the user;

determining, by the accident information processing system, which attorney has a first set of rights with respect to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user, and attorney information accessed from a data store;

selecting, by the accident information processing system, at least a first attorney based at least in part on the determination as to which attorney has the first set of rights;

transmitting, by the accident information processing system, information regarding the first attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user, the information regarding the selected first attorney including a rating provided by at least one other user;

enabling the user to select the first attorney via the application;

at least partly in response to detecting that the user has selected the first attorney, transmitting, by the accident information processing system, at least a portion of the first accident report to the selected attorney;

receiving, by the accident information processing system, a request from the user for a taxi service;

determining a current location of the user;

based at least in part on the user'"'"'s current location, identifying, by the accident information processing system, one or more taxi services;

transmitting, by the accident information processing system, to the application installed on the user mobile device, a listing of one or more identified taxi services;

enabling the user to select a listed taxi service;

enabling the user to initiate a taxi request to a user selected taxi service;

wherein the accident information processing system comprises computing hardware, a network interface, and a data store, the data store comprising non-transitory memory and an accident database.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to receive information for a personal injury report, the user interface configured to receive information comprising:

an accident facility identifier corresponding to a facility is where the accident occurred;

a phone number associated with the facility;

an accident report number associated with a report made to a representative associated with the facility; and

an indication as to whether an ambulance responded to the accident at the facility.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right for a first location.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the listing of one or more identified taxi services comprises a listing of one or more identified taxi services and respective rates charged by the one or more identified taxi services.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the application further comprises an emergency call control, the method further comprising detecting a user activation of the emergency call control and at least partly in response automatically transmitting a notification to the user-specified one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a government document to a first destination, and

the method further comprising:

determining a subject matter of the government document;

based at least in part on the subject matter of the government document and the physical address associated with the user, selecting at least one attorney;

transmitting information regarding the at least one attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user; and

enabling the user to communicate with the at least one attorney.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a document comprising text or an image, or both text and an image, to a first destination;

the method further comprising;

determining a subject matter of the document, and

based at least in part on the subject matter of the document and the physical address associated with the user, selecting at least one attorney;

transmitting information regarding the at least one attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user; and

enabling the user to communicate with the at least one attorney.

8. A method of managing accident-related communications, comprising:

providing an application, comprising software, configured to be downloaded to a mobile device of a user, wherein the application is configured to;

enable the user to report, to an accident information processing system, vehicular accidents via a first set of user interfaces, the first set of user interfaces configured to receive vehicular accident related information comprising;

a name of a driver of a vehicle involved in the vehicular accident;

a driver'"'"'s license number of the driver;

contact information of the driver;

insurance information of the driver;

an indication as to whether there were passengers in at least one vehicle involved in the vehicular accident;

an indication as to whether the vehicular accident was reported to the police;

an indication as to whether there was at least one witness to the vehicular accident;

image information related to the vehicular accident;

enable the user to report workplace accidents, to the accident information processing system, via a second set of user interfaces different than the first set of user interface, the second set of user interfaces configured to receive workplace accident related information comprising;

an employer name;

employer contact information;

enable the user to request referrals to least a taxi service and an attorney;

enable the user to specify one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided if an accident occurs;

enable the user to capture an image using the mobile device camera;

receiving at the accident information processing system a first accident report regarding a first accident via the downloaded application on the user mobile device;

in response to receiving the first accident report and based at least in part on contacts specified by the user to whom an accident notification is to be provided, automatically transmitting an accident notification to the user specified one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided;

determining, by the accident information processing system, what type of accident the user is reporting based at least in part on the first accident report;

determining, by the accident information processing system, a location of the first accident based at least in part on the first accident report and/or determining a physical address associated with the user;

determining, by the accident information processing system, which attorney has a first set of rights with respect to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user, and attorney information accessed from a data store;

selecting, by the accident information processing system, at least a first attorney based at least in part on the determination as to which attorney has the first set of rights;

transmitting, by the accident information processing system, information regarding the first attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user, the information regarding the selected first attorney including a rating provided by at least one other user;

enabling the user to select the first attorney via the application;

at least partly in response to detecting that the user has selected the first attorney, transmitting, by the accident information processing system, at least a portion of the first accident report to the selected attorney;

receiving, by the accident information processing system, a request from the user for a taxi service and/or a tow service;

determining a current location of the user;

based at least in part on the user'"'"'s current location, identifying, by the accident information processing system, one or more taxi services and/or a tow services having, respectively, a taxi or a tow truck within a first range of the user'"'"'s current location;

transmitting, by the accident information processing system, to the application installed on the user mobile device a listing of one or more identified taxi services and/or tow services;

enabling the user to select a listed taxi service and/or tow service;

enabling the user to initiate a communication to a user selected taxi service and/or tow service;

wherein the accident information processing system comprises computing hardware, a network interface, and a data store, the data store comprising non-transitory memory and an accident database.

9. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to receive information for a personal injury report, the user interface configured to receive information comprising:

an accident facility identifier corresponding to a facility is where the accident occurred;

contact information associated with the facility;

an accident report number associated with a report made to a representative associated with the facility; and

an indication as to whether an ambulance responded to the accident at the facility.

10. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right for a first location.

11. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the listing of one or more identified taxi services and/or tow services comprises a listing of one or more identified taxi services and respective rates charged by the one or more identified taxi services.

12. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the application further comprises an emergency call control, the method further comprising detecting a user activation of the emergency call control and at least partly in response automatically transmitting a notification to the user specified one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided.

13. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a government document to a first destination, and

the method further comprising:

determining a subject matter of the government document;

based at least in part on the subject matter of the document and the physical address associated with the user, selecting at least one attorney;

transmitting information regarding the at least one attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user; and

enabling the user to communicate with the at least one attorney.

14. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a document comprising text or an image, or both text and an image, to a first destination;

the method further comprising;

determining a subject matter of the document, and

based at least in part on the subject matter of the document and the physical address associated with the user, selecting at least one attorney;

transmitting information regarding the at least one attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user; and

enabling the user to communicate with the at least one attorney.

15. An accident management system, comprising:

a computing system comprising hardware;

a non-transitory computer storage medium having stored thereon executable instructions that direct the computing system to perform operations comprising;

providing an application, comprising software, configured to be downloaded to a mobile device of a user, wherein the application is configured to;

enable the user to report accidents via a first set of user interfaces, the first set of user interfaces configured to receive vehicular accident related information comprising;

a name of a driver of a vehicle involved in the vehicular accident;

a driver'"'"'s license number of the driver;

insurance information of the driver;

an indication as to whether there were passengers in at least one vehicle involved in the vehicular accident;

an indication as to whether the vehicular accident was reported to the police;

an indication as to whether there was at least one witness to the vehicular accident;

image information related to the vehicular accident;

enable the user to report workplace accidents, to the accident information processing system, via a second set of user interfaces different than the first set of user interface, the second set of user interfaces configured to receive workplace accident related information comprising;

an employer name;

employer contact information;

enable the user to request referrals to least a taxi service and an attorney;

enable the user to specify one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided if an accident occurs;

enable the user to capture an image using the mobile device camera;

receiving a first accident report regarding a first accident via the downloaded application on the user mobile device;

in response to receiving the first accident report and based at least in part on contacts specified by the user to whom an accident notification is to be provided, automatically transmitting an accident notification to the user specified one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided;

determining what type of accident the user is reporting based at least in part on the first accident report;

determining a location of the first accident based at least in part on the first accident report and/or determining a physical address associated with the user;

determining which attorney has a first set of rights with respect to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user, and attorney information accessed from a data store;

selecting at least a first attorney based at least in part on the determination as to which attorney has the first set of rights;

transmitting information regarding the first attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user, the information regarding the selected first attorney including a rating provided by at least one other user;

enabling the user to select the first attorney via the application;

at least partly in response to detecting that the user has selected the first attorney, transmitting at least a portion of the first accident report to the selected attorney;

receiving a request from the user for a taxi service and/or a tow service;

determining a current location of the user;

based at least in part on the user'"'"'s current location, identifying one or more taxi services and/or a tow services having, respectively, a taxi or a tow truck within a first range of the user'"'"'s current location;

transmitting to the application installed on the user mobile device a listing of one or more identified taxi services and/or tow services;

enabling the user to select a listed taxi service and/or tow service;

enabling the user to initiate a communication to a user selected taxi service and/or tow service.

16. The system as defined in claim 15, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to receive information for a personal injury report, the user interface configured to receive information comprising:

an accident facility identifier corresponding to a facility is where the accident occurred;

contact information associated with the facility;

an accident report number associated with a report made to a representative associated with the facility; and

an indication as to whether an ambulance responded to the accident at the facility.

17. The system as defined in claim 15, wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right for a first location.

18. The system as defined in claim 15, wherein the listing of one or more identified taxi services and/or tow services comprises a listing of one or more identified taxi services and respective rates charged by the one or more identified taxi services.

19. The system as defined in claim 15, wherein the application further comprises an emergency call control, the operations further comprising detecting a user activation of the emergency call control and at least partly in response automatically transmitting a notification to the user specified one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided.

20. The system as defined in claim 15, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a government document to a first destination, and

the operations further comprising:

determining a subject matter of the government document;

based at least in part on the subject matter of the document and the physical address associated with the user, selecting at least one attorney;

transmitting information regarding the at least one attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user; and

enabling the user to communicate with the at least one attorney.

21. The system as defined in claim 15, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a document comprising text or an image, or both text and an image, to a first destination;

the method further comprising;

determining a subject matter of the document, and

based at least in part on the subject matter of the document and the physical address associated with the user, selecting at least one attorney;

transmitting information regarding the at least one attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user; and

enabling the user to communicate with the at least one attorney.

22. An accident management system, comprising:

a computing system comprising hardware;

a non-transitory computer storage medium having stored thereon executable instructions that direct the computing system to perform operations comprising;

receiving a first accident report regarding a first accident via an application installed on mobile device of a user;

in response to receiving the first accident report and based at least in part on contacts specified by the user to whom an accident notification is to be provided, automatically transmitting an accident notification to the user specified one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided;

determining what type of accident the user is reporting based at least in part on the first accident report;

determining a location of the first accident based at least in part on the first accident report, or determining a physical address associated with the user, or determining both the location of the first accident based at least in part on the first accident report and the physical address associated with the user;

determining which attorney has a first set of rights with respect to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user, and attorney information accessed from a data store;

selecting at least a first attorney based at least in part on the determination as to which attorney has the first set of rights;

transmitting information regarding the first attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user, the information regarding the selected first attorney including a rating provided by at least one other user;

enabling the user to select the first attorney via the application installed on the user mobile device;

at least partly in response to detecting that the user has selected the first attorney, transmitting at least a portion of the first accident report to the selected attorney;

receiving a request from the user for a taxi service or a tow service, or both a taxi service and a tow service from the user via the application installed on the user mobile device;

determining a current location of the user based at least in part on information provided via the mobile device of the user;

based at least in part on the user'"'"'s current location, identifying one or more taxi services or tow services, or both one or more taxi services and tow services, having, respectively, servicing the user'"'"'s current location;

transmitting to the application installed on the user mobile device a listing of one or more identified taxi services or tow services, or both taxi services and tow services;

enabling the user to select a listed taxi service or a listed tow service, or both a listed taxi service and tow service;

enabling the user to initiate a communication to a user selected taxi service or tow service, or both a user selected taxi service and tow service.

23. The system as defined in claim 22, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to receive information for a personal injury report, the user interface configured to receive information comprising:

an accident facility identifier corresponding to a facility is where the accident occurred;

contact information associated with the facility;

an accident report number associated with a report made to a representative associated with the facility; and

an indication as to whether an ambulance responded to the accident at the facility.

24. The system as defined in claim 22, wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right for a first location.

25. The system as defined in claim 22, wherein the listing of one or more identified taxi services and/or tow services comprises a listing of one or more identified taxi services and respective rates charged by the one or more identified taxi services.

26. The system as defined in claim 22, wherein the application further comprises an emergency call control, the operations further comprising detecting a user activation of the emergency call control and at least partly in response automatically transmitting a notification to the user specified one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be provided.

27. The system as defined in claim 22, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a government document to a first destination, and

the operations further comprising:

determining a subject matter of the government document;

based at least in part on the subject matter of the document and the physical address associated with the user, selecting at least one attorney;

transmitting information regarding the at least one attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user; and

enabling the user to communicate with the at least one attorney.

28. The system as defined in claim 22, wherein the application is configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a document comprising text or an image, or both text and an image, to a first destination;

the method further comprising;

determining a subject matter of the document, and

based at least in part on the subject matter of the document and the physical address associated with the user, selecting at least one attorney;

transmitting information regarding the at least one attorney to the application installed on the user mobile device for presentation to the user; and

enabling the user to communicate with the at least one attorney.