Methods and systems of managing accident communications over a network

• US 9,877,176 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2013
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medlegal Network, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medlegal Network, Inc.
• Inventors: Gabel, Gershon
• Primary Examiner(s): Fang, Keith
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANNAN, B M M
• Application Number:
  US14/133,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20150172894A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 4554041, 4554042, 707803, 707E17028, 707E17058, 707E17101, 340436, 34053911, 705 4, 701301
• 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, wherein the first set of user interfaces comprises a passenger involved control configured to indicate, when activated by the user, that a passenger was in at least one vehicle involved in the vehicular accident;

an indication as to whether the vehicular accident was reported to police, wherein the first set of user interfaces comprises a control via which the user can indicate whether a police report exists;

an indication as to whether the vehicular accident resulted in a physical injury, wherein the first set of user interfaces comprises a control via which the user can indicate whether the vehicular accident resulted in an 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, wherein the first set of user interfaces comprises a control via which the user can indicate 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 for an accident suffered by the user, the accident related information comprising;

an employer name;

contact information of the employer;

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 at 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 automatically provided if an accident occurs;

provide a control that enables 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;

provide a user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a document comprising text or an image, or both text and an image;

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, wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right corresponding to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user;

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 wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right corresponding to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user;

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;

in response to a user input, provided via the application, 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 a plurality of identified taxi services;

enabling the user to select a listed taxi service from the plurality of listed identified taxi services;

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

receiving a first document submitted via the user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a document comprising text or an image, or both text and an image;

determining a subject matter of the first 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;

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 listing of the plurality of identified taxi services comprises a listing of the plurality of identified taxi services and respective rates charged by the plurality of identified taxi services.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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, wherein the first set of user interfaces comprises a passenger involved control configured to indicate, when activated by the user, that a passenger was in at least one vehicle involved in the vehicular accident;

an indication as to whether the vehicular accident was reported to police, wherein the first set of user interfaces comprises a control via which the user can indicate whether a police report exists;

an indication as to whether there was at least one witness to the vehicular accident, wherein the first set of user interfaces comprises a control via which the user can indicate 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 for an accident involving the user, the accident related information comprising;

an employer name;

contact information of the employer;

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

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

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

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;

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, wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right corresponding to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user;

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, wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right corresponding to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user;

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;

in response to a user input, provided via the application, 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, a plurality of 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 the plurality of identified taxi services and/or tow services;

enabling the user to select a listed taxi service and/or tow service from the plurality of listed identified taxi services and/or tow services;

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,

receiving a first document submitted via the user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a document comprising text or an image, or both text and an image;

determining a subject matter of the first 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.

7. The method as defined in claim 6, 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.

8. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein the listing of the plurality of identified taxi services and/or tow services comprises a listing of the plurality of identified taxi services and respective rates charged by the one or more identified taxi services.

9. The method as defined in claim 6, 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.

10. The method as defined in claim 6, 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.

11. 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, wherein the first set of user interfaces comprises a passenger involved control configured to indicate, when activated by the user, that a passenger was in at least one vehicle involved in the vehicular accident;

an indication as to whether the vehicular accident was reported to police, wherein the first set of user interfaces comprises a control via which the user can indicate whether a police report exists;

an indication as to whether there was at least one witness to the vehicular accident, wherein the first set of user interfaces comprises a control via which the user can indicate 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 for an accident involving the user, the accident related information comprising;

an employer name;

contact information of the employer;

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

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

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

provide a user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a document comprising text or an image, or both text and an image;

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 wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right corresponding to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user;

selecting at least a first attorney based at least in part on the determination as to which attorney has the first set of rights wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right corresponding to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user;

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;

in response to a user input, provided via the application, 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 a plurality of 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 the plurality of identified taxi services and/or tow services;

enabling the user to select a listed taxi service and/or tow service from the plurality of listed identified taxi services and/or tow services;

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

receiving a first document submitted via the user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a document comprising text or an image, or both text and an image;

determining a subject matter of the first 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.

12. The system as defined in claim 11, 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.

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

14. The system as defined in claim 11, 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.

15. The system as defined in claim 11, 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.

16. 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 user-specification of one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be automatically provided if an accident occurs;

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

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;

in response to receiving the first accident report and based at least in part on the received user-specification of one or more contacts to whom an accident notification is to be automatically provided if an accident occurs, 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 wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right corresponding to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user;

selecting at least a first attorney based at least in part on the determination as to which attorney has the first set of rights wherein the first set of rights comprises at least an advertising right corresponding to the location of the first accident and/or the physical address associated with the user;

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;

in response to a user input, provided via the application, 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 from which the user may select;

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;

receiving a first document submitted via the user interface configured to enable a user to transmit a document comprising text or an image, or both text and an image;

determining a subject matter of the first 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.

17. The system as defined in claim 16, 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.

18. The system as defined in claim 16, 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 16, 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 16, 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.