Regardless of how carefully people drive, there are millions of car accidents every year. After an accident, you will likely be stunned and possibly severely injured. Here are the five steps you should take immediately after an accident.
Keep Yourself and Your Passengers Safe
You are likely to feel shaky and disoriented after an automobile accident, especially if you didn’t see the other car coming. Although it won’t be easy, try to stay calm and try to focus. Turn on your hazard lights to alert oncoming traffic. If you can, move your car onto the shoulder or to another safe space.
Call the Police
You should always wait at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. If your passengers or the other driver(s) do not call the police, you should do it yourself. It’s essential to obtain a police report to have a documented account of the accident’s details, including the damage to each vehicle and injuries to passengers or drivers.
Get Checked Out By a Medical Professional
Serious injuries are often easy to spot, but you may not notice your symptoms right after an accident because of the adrenaline in your system. You should be evaluated by a doctor immediately even if you feel fine. Delaying medical treatment can exacerbate an injury.
Exchange Information and Document Everything
Each state has its own laws about how much information you must give at the scene of the accident. Talk to the other drivers and get their names and insurance info. When speaking with them, don’t get into who was at fault. Leave that to the police, insurance companies, and attorneys.
Below is other information and documentation you should try to get:
- Pictures of the damage to your vehicle
- Police names and report number
- Witness contact information
- Your own notes on what happened
You should document as much of the accident as possible, including these facts:
- The time and date of the accident
- What direction both you and the other vehicle were traveling
- The name of the road you were on when the accident occurred
- Were the conditions of the roadaffected by the weather, such as rain or snow
Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance provider immediately to file a claim. They will open an accident report and let you know what steps you should take. They might suggest that you contact a personal injury lawyer to review your case and determine if you are entitled to compensation.
It’s impossible to plan for a car accident, but you can take several steps to make sure you’re prepared for whatever comes afterward.
