Car accidents are unavoidable incidents that are overwhelming and can leave you helpless and in confusion. It is nice to know that no matter how minor or how serious the crash is, there are correct steps that you need to follow to avoid putting yourself in danger.
This way, you can avoid future complications, get the needed data, and develop a base for insurance or trials if there is a necessity for them. The following is a list of what should be done after a car accident has happened.
Step 1: Ensure Safety First
First of all, in a car accident, or in any accidental situations, do not forget that the main thing is to stay safe. You must get/give assistance from other travelers and pull the car aside to the right side of the road in order to avoid more accidents. To alert other drivers of your plight, flick on your emergency beacon or blinkers. Make sure the rest of the people in the car, yourself included, are healthy; and if not, call an ambulance. In case of severe injury, ensure that no injured persons are moved unless they are in immediate danger.
Step 2: Call the Authorities
Always call the police no matter how insignificant the accident looks on the surface. It is a legal requirement in many states to present a police report when dealing with insurance companies, legal proceedings, or other legal concerns that may necessitate a car accident lawyer. The police will photograph the scene and there will be a written account of the incident much later on, which will be very helpful.
Step 3: Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Once you are sure nobody is harmed and the police are on their way, it is then a good idea to swap information with the other driver. Be sure to collect:
- The personal information of the other party, starting from their name to their permanent residential address, and any other identifiable information that that person may have.
- Driver’s license number.
- License plate number.
- Insurance and policy number.
Never argue whose fault it is or get into any form of confrontation. When communicating with the other party, you should not apologize and should simply focus on what has happened.
Step 4: Document the Scene
It is essential to gather data at the scene of the event because it may happen that two individuals will have different versions of what has taken place. Capture at least an image of the vehicles, the extent of damage it received, and the location of the occurrence of the accident. It is also important to capture signs, traffic signals and road conditions that could have possibly caused the accident. Moreover, you ought to write down any information regarding any third party involved, like the witnesses of the events.
Step 7: Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
If you are incapacitated or feel the other driver was at fault, then it is wise to contact a car accident lawyer. When the process entails suing and/or requesting claims, a professional attorney will help with the legal process, negotiate with insurers, and ensure you are fairly compensated.