You were involved in an automobile crash. You feel your heart racing and are unsure of what to do next. Your financial future may be significantly impacted by how you respond at the scene of an accident and immediately afterward.
Try these suggestions to handle an automobile accident wisely. They’ll assist you in avoiding further injuries, defending your legal rights, and expediting the processing of your motor insurance claim.
Evaluate any injuries.
Don’t concentrate on the damage right away following the collision. Determine if you or anyone nearby is hurt first. If someone is injured, dial 911 right away to summon an ambulance and law enforcement.
Stay in your car if you are hurt and signal for assistance to a bystander. If you’re okay, look around for anyone else who could be hurt and contact an ambulance if necessary. If someone is seriously harmed, don’t try to move them to prevent further harm.
Take pictures of the accident site.
You can use your smartphone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene. Take photos from several perspectives to clearly show the damage. Remember to depict skid marks, broken glass, and ground debris. Your car accident attorney may ask for this evidence when seeking compensation for your injuries.
Get your car out of the way.
Make sure to move your car out of the line of traffic if your accident was minor and no one was wounded. However, if it cannot be relocated, activate your hazard lights, or deploy any reflectors or flares you may have in your car emergency pack (check your vehicle and order one, if needed). Set up any flares or reflective equipment to alert other cars to the potential presence of debris.
Exchange information
Get the names and phone numbers of those in the collision if you can move without experiencing pain or discomfort. Additionally, you should obtain the contact information of any potential witnesses who may be there.
Make a police report.
Make a call to the police and report the incident even if there are no injuries and only minor vehicle damage. A formal declaration attests to crucial details you could overlook if the other party sued you months later. It’s conceivable to sustain a medical condition that wasn’t immediately apparent during an automobile accident. It’s best to say you are not sure of your injuries until you have a complete medical exam.
If the police cannot respond to the scene, you can travel to the closest police station to file a report while the specifics are still fresh in your mind. Write down all the information as soon as possible. That includes the time and date of the incident, the location, injuries to vehicles or drivers, the identities of any witnesses, etc.
Engage a car accident lawyer
Consult a car accident lawyer if unsure what to do or say after an accident. They will protect your rights and compensate you for your injuries and damages. Keep calm and wait for your lawyer’s instructions.
