What to do immediately after a car accident
Did you know that there are more than six million car accidents in the United States each year? Fortunately, in most cases, car accidents only result in property damage, but in one in three cases, car accidents also result in personal injury.
Even if you’ve never been in an accident before or don’t drive your car very often, there’s always the chance that you could be involved in an accident through no fault of your own. By knowing the steps to take after a car accident, you will be better prepared to protect yourself and your passengers from injury, and you will know what to do to protect yourself against unfair claims.
Here are the steps you should take if you are unlucky enough to be involved in a traffic accident:
Stop your vehicle
Whenever you are involved in a car accident, no matter how minor, you should always stop. Never leave the scene of an accident without stopping.
Make the scene safe
One of the first things you will need to do is make sure that no one has been injured and that the scene of the accident is as safe as possible. To avoid the danger of a new collision, place flares or warning lights around parked vehicles and turn on hazard warning lights. If you are on a busy road, stay away from fast-approaching traffic.
Call the emergency services
It is advisable to notify the police of an accident, even if there are no serious injuries. If there is any injury or there is a fire, then the ambulance and fire services should also be notified. It is a good idea to notify the police, even if it is a minor accident, because you will need a police report to file your insurance claim. If possible, vehicles should not move before the police arrive.
Make a complete record of the accident.
When the police arrive, it is important that you give them an accurate record of what happened. If you are unsure of any of the details, be honest about it, do not try to speculate or make assumptions. If you are asked if you are injured, it is better to say that you are not sure, rather than say no, because some car accident injuries only manifest later. If there are third-party witnesses to the accident, you should ask them to wait for the police to arrive so they can give a statement.
Take photos
If there is damage to your vehicle, take pictures of that damage. You should also take pictures of any damage to other vehicles. If you have any injuries that are visible, take pictures of that too. Unfortunately, there are people who claim that their vehicle suffered far more damage than it actually did. A photograph will allow you to dispute a false claim against your insurance. While it is important to keep a record of the accident, of course, it should not hinder the work of the emergency services and the police while doing so.
Exchange details with the other party
If the police attend the scene of a car accident, they will take all the details from those involved in the accident and from witnesses. If the police do not attend, you should obtain the names and addresses of everyone involved, including passengers and witnesses. You should also exchange insurance details with the drivers of the other vehicles involved. If the police are present, the police must provide you with a police report number. With that you can get a copy of the police report on the accident. If the accident occurred on a state highway, you are required by law to report the incident to the police.
Get a medical checkup
Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, it is advisable to get a medical checkup as soon as possible after a car accident. Injuries caused by car accidents are often not noticed until several days later. Even low speed impacts can damage your spine, and if you were stunned from the accident, you may have suffered a mild concussion.
Save all paperwork
Keep all the paperwork you have related to the accident in a file. This should include all correspondence, your insurance claim number, the details of the claims adjuster handling the claim, and the names and phone numbers of everyone involved in the case. You should also keep all receipts for expenses you incur as a result of the accident, including car repairs, medical costs, and the cost of a rental car, if necessary.
Seek legal advice
It is advisable to contact an attorney immediately when you have been in a car accident. A good attorney will help you protect your rights by advising you on how to ensure that the evidence is not destroyed and by giving your insurance company advice on preparing your return. They will also help ensure that you receive adequate compensation for a car accident and that you receive the best medical treatment.
