Car accidents occur suddenly, sometimes leaving drivers disoriented and frightened. Knowing what to do in those initial minutes may make the difference between a small fender-bender and a hefty collision.
Doing the right things at the proper time will protect your health, finances, and ability to recover damages later. When panic strikes, it’s easy to forget what’s important. This guide discusses what you should do immediately following a car accident, from checking injuries to filing insurance claims.
For you to obtain fair compensation, it’s important to preserve good evidence and proceed along the right lines at the start. Every step you take following the crash will affect how smoothly and pleasantly your recovery and claim process goes. Let’s crush into it!
Step#1: Check for injuries
Get to a safe place—take a moment to regain your composure and check yourself and others for injuries. Call the police or 911 at once if any are found. In the case of accidents that are generally serious, it is necessary to move injured persons unless fire or other imminent danger is present.
Movable property, like vehicles, if they can be driven safely, should be transferred to the roadside to avoid interference with traffic. Get out the lights of your car and display warning signals, like triangles, which will also be helpful to warn motorists approaching the scene.
Step #2: Call the Police
Call the police, no matter how minor an accident is. Officers will record what happened and issue a report, which is essential when filing insurance claims. Reporting an accident to the local authorities is legally required in many states when someone has been injured or there is considerable damage to property.
When the officer arrives at the scene of the accident, keep calm and give only the facts at first. Don’t suggest what you think might have occurred, nor admit liability; it is too early in the investigation to have all the facts necessary for a good determination of what happened.
Step #3: Document the Scene
Prior to the arrival of tow trucks or a change in the scene from interested onlookers, it is best to gather all available pertinent information. Take your camera or cell phone to obtain photographs of:
- Any vehicular damage
- Street conditions, road skid marks, etc.
- Street signs, other signals, surroundings, etc.
- License plates or driver’s licenses
Make certain that the other driver knows your name, phone number, and the name of your insurance company.
Step #4: Get Medical Help
No matter how minor you believe symptoms to be after an accident, don’t fail to get a medical check-up. Most injuries sustained, including concussions and internal impairment, do not show their presence until some time has elapsed.
Promptness in seeing a physician will not only be for your benefit but will also cause the creation of records in medical departments that may assist you in obtaining insurance or having other claims settled.
Step #5: Notify Your Insurance Company
Advise your insurer of the accident as soon as you can after its occurrence. Be respectful and truthful, but stick to the facts, not an interpretation, when reporting the accident. Don’t express liability for the accident, nor suggest how the accident occurred.
If the other driver’s insurance adjuster contacts you, be careful in your remarks and don’t sign anything until you have given considerable thought to the rights you possess.
Key Takeaways
- Keep calm, check for, and care for injuries at once.
- Contact the police and have an official report made.
- Document the scene with photographs and names of witnesses present.
- Get medical assistance promptly, even for slight symptoms.
- Give your insurance company immediate notice of the accident.
- Contact a car accident lawyer to receive compensation for your losses.
