7 Things To Do After A Car Accident
7 Things To Do After A Car Accident
There’s plenty of information out there about what to do to prevent a car accident. But what should you do after one has happened? The next steps you take will have a major impact on your well-being, health, and finances. Here are the 7 steps you must take post-accident.
Get Safe
First things first. Take care of your safety before doing anything else. You can’t help others until you help yourself. Turn on your hazard lights if you can, get out of the car, and move yourself to a safer area as carefully as you can. Never stand in the way of oncoming traffic, and be sure to step aside from the damaged vehicles.
Take a moment to breathe deeply and allow your body to calm down after the trauma you just experienced. While this step may seem obvious, it’s important to follow so that you can respond appropriately post-accident.
Take out any flares if you have them on hand. Turn on your emergency lights to alert other drivers passing by. If you are in a dark area, grab your flashlight or use your phone to see more clearly.
2. Call 911 Or The Police
Even seemingly minor injuries should be checked by a healthcare professional. Call 911 to report the accident and any injuries to individuals. If there are no injured parties present, call the police to make a report. This step is critical as your insurance company may require a police report to process your claim.
3. Check On The Well-Being Of Others
Always make sure the surrounding area is safe before checking on the well-being of passengers, the other driver, and pedestrians. It can be incredibly nerve-wracking to wait for emergency help but remember that unnecessary movement can be extremely detrimental to an injured person. While waiting with any injured parties, sit with them and let them know help is on the way.
It’s always a good idea to carry a safety kit in the trunk of your car. You can find pre-made kits in many retail stores or create your own. Be sure to include a flashlight with extra batteries, blanket, flares, first-aid kit, drinking water, and a utility knife.
4. Take Photos Of The Scene Before Moving Vehicles
Unfortunately, you can’t always assume that others will do the right thing and follow up with their insurance companies or be truthful. Always take photos of the tags of any vehicles involved and the identification of the drivers. Having this information readily accessible will make it much easier on you in the long run.
Make sure you have the following:
Names
Phone numbers
Addresses
Driver license numbers
License plate numbers
Insurance information
5. Photograph Tags And Identification Belonging To Others
If there are witnesses to the event, talk to them about what they witnessed and make note of it on your smartphone. Jot down their names and contact information. Take photos of any IDs or tags.
As police assess the scene, be sure to remain calm and cooperative. It is in your best interest to avoid admitting fault but remain truthful. The police will observe the scene and determine who is at fault for the accident.
6. Take Photos Of Witnesses’ Ids And Tags
If you are in the way of traffic, move out of the area immediately. Otherwise, you risk creating another accident and sustaining injuries or worse. Step away from the motorcycle and take a moment to calm your breathing. You’ve sustained a serious trauma and need to take a moment to regain your senses.
In many accidents, there are few to no witnesses at the scene. However, if you have people on the scene who witnessed the event and are willing to talk to you, ask them about what they saw. Make a note of the information they share and document their identification and vehicle tags through photos or video.
7. Seek And Document Medical Treatment
If you sustained any injuries, seek immediate medical care. Keep track of doctor’s visits and treatments. Log any medications you take and make copies of all medical bills. These documents go a long way if and when you seek to have your medical care compensated after.
Don’t forget to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. You shouldn’t have to navigate life post-accident alone. The Peel Law Firm has helped countless people recover compensation for injuries suffered due to auto accidents.