There are several ways to help avoid car accidents, but as careful as you may be, you can still find yourself in a car wreck because of the negligence of other road users. It is important to know what steps to follow when such incidents occur.
When involved in a car accident, you need to take certain initiatives to ensure your safety and that of everyone else involved. What you do immediately after the incident will play a role in your eventual pursuit of compensation.
After determining who is at fault for the car accident, you can file a claim with the help of one of the best car accident lawyers you can find. This will enable you to get back in shape after suffering any form of loss caused by the accident.
What Steps Should You Take After Getting Into a Car Accident?
1. Determine All Your Injuries
If you are able to, call for emergency medical services or ask for someone to help make a call. Do not try to move if seriously injured and wait for medical help to arrive.
2. Check Whether Everyone Else In the Vehicle Is Alright
If you have suffered minor injuries and you are able to move, check on the well-being of the other passengers in your car and call for medical help.
3. Get Yourself to Safety
If your car is causing a safety hazard, you can move it to the side of the road if possible. Leave the vehicle if it’s no longer safe to drive and move to the roadside.
4. Call the Police
It is important to get the police to the scene of the accident immediately, whether it’s a minor or a major accident. The police will record a statement and fill out an accident report of the scene. The official police report is a key piece of evidence your personal injury lawyer will use when they pursue your compensation from the liable parties.
5. Wait for Medical Services
If you can move, take out your emergency car kit and install road flares around your vehicle to caution other road users to slow down as you await medical help. Do your best to stay clear of oncoming traffic, especially on major roads after dark.
6. Exchange Information with the Other Drivers
After ensuring everybody is safe and getting yourself to safety, you need to exchange insurance and contact information with the other party involved in the accident. The most important information to collect from the other driver includes:
Their contact and full name
Licence plate and the driver’s licence number
The location where the accident occurred
The driver’s insurance provider and policy number
The type of vehicle and model of the car
Avoid discussing fault at the scene of the accident with the other driver; your lawyer can do this when filing a claim.
7. Collect Your Own Records
To guarantee the strength of your claim, you are recommended to gather some evidence from the scene. Consider the following:
Request a copy of the police report
Record the badge numbers of the officers at the scene
Take pictures of the scene
Take pictures of both vehicles from different angles to record the damages
Record the names and contact information of any witnesses if present
Your safety Comes First
After an accident, the first thing you need to worry about is your health and the safety of other passengers. Everything else, including the exchange of information, comes after your safety is secured. A car accident can often leave you disturbed or with fatal injuries; following the steps above helps you protect yourself from future inconveniences.