A car accident can be quite a terrifying and traumatizing experience. It can happen anytime, anywhere you go. Whether the crash occurs due to your negligence or the opposite party’s mistake, it is vital to understand how to act calmly and efficiently.
How you handle the accident can significantly impact your and the passengers’ safety, well-being, and potential legalities. Therefore, understanding how to handle such a situation is as important as acquiring the driving skill.
Go over this blog until the end to learn the essential steps you must follow immediately after a car accident.
Contents
Prioritize Safety First
Immediately after the crash, you must stop your car. Inspect the scene to check if you or other passengers involved have been hurt. Call the ambulance to seek immediate medical attention if anyone has incurred severe injuries.
In case you are fine, move your car out of the road. Pull it up on the side and turn your hazard lights on to notify other drivers about the accident. Doing this will help prevent road blockages or further collisions.
Contact the Authorities
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It is pivotal to call the police immediately after a vehicle accident. Regardless of the accident’s severity, it is necessary to notify and engage the authorities. Once the police are on the scene, collaborate with them and provide your best responses to any inquiries they may pose.
The officers shall document the crash and create an official report regarding it. They will include statements from those involved in the crash and any witnesses. The police report is an essential testimony when dealing with insurance agencies, any legal matters, etc.
The authorities would also help anyone needing medical attention and control any road blockages, if they may be.
Collect Essential Information
While you are waiting for the authorities to arrive, gather all the essential information from the opponent driver. Make sure to keep the conversation to a minimum, not admitting to any liability.
Make sure to collect all the following details:
- Contact information includes the driver’s name, phone number, and address.
- Insurance information, including the company’s name, policyholder, and policy number of the driver.
- Vehicle information includes the name, make, model, year, and license plate number.
- Witnesses’ data, including their names and contact information, if present.
Collect Evidence from the Accident Scene
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Gathering evidence using your smartphone right after the crash can help you later in legal matters.
Click pictures of the accident scene. Try to capture the following details:
- The vehicles involved in the crash, along with their license plates.
- Any vehicle property damage.
- Any other property damage that may have occurred aside from the vehicles.
- Impact points present.
- The vehicles’ position in the roadway.
- Views that portray the roads for perspective.
- Traffic signs.
- Any visible injuries.
According to the attorneys of the Chopin Law Firm, a personal injury attorney in New Orleans, “Collecting valuable photographic evidence from the crash scene can significantly expedite your claim process. It will further help prosecute the case for a fair settlement amount for any damages you may have encountered.”
Additionally, many vehicles now come with dashcams, which are dashboard-mounted video cameras. They help record the exact scene of the crash from a third-party view. If you or the opponent party have a dashcam, safely keep a copy of its recording as evidence.
Keep Track of Important Information
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Having a good grip on all essential details of the accident can help you in any future legalities. Make sure to keep a thorough track of all critical information, such as the following:
- The precise location where the accident occurred- including street numbers.
- Date and time of the crash.
- Your travel direction.
- The opponent car’s travel direction.
- Notable features like stop signs, traffic lights, etc.
- Weather conditions and visibility.
- Any obstructions, such as work crews, barriers, etc., may be present.
- The number of passengers in both vehicles.
- State of the opponent driver.
- Note the name, ID number, and contact details of the police officers involved.
Seek Medical Attention
No matter how slight your injuries, you should still seek medical attention. Visiting the doctor can help with the following:
Discover any Hidden Injuries
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There may be some internal injuries that do not show symptoms immediately. A thorough medical examination can help discover problems and provide accurate treatment.
Document your Medical Record
A proper medical record can help you with your legal personal injury claims. Make sure that your medical history mentions a car accident on it. You should also keep track of the following things to help you be lawfully compensated.
- Any medical treatment you received.
- Your medical expenditures.
- Lost wages due to absence from work.
- The way the incident affected your daily life.
All such information will help your attorney put a strong case for you in court.
Report the Accident
After gathering all essential information and being taken care of, report the crash to your insurance agency. Make sure to provide them with all the necessary information. These include:
Crash Details
Please provide them with a detailed description of what happened at the accident time.
Evidence
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Share all the evidence, including pictures and videos you may have collected. Please provide them with the personal and insurance information you have gathered from the opponent driver. You should also share the witness information with your agency.
Police Report
Inform your insurance agency if the authorities are involved. Please provide them with a copy of the police report and the accident report number.
Stay Legally Safe
Protect your legal rights at all times by keeping all evidence safe. Preserve all documentation safely, including your medical reports, bills, repair quotations, and correspondences with the insurance agency.
Make sure to be cautious regarding repairing your car. Please consult your insurance agency and lawyer before starting any repairs if they want to inspect your vehicle for damages first.
Seek Expert Legal Advice
It is crucial to seek legal help, especially in a significant accident. Your attorney will help you figure out in several ways, such as:
- Understanding your lawful rights.
- Providing expert knowledge and guidance as to how to proceed ahead.
- They will help negotiate with insurance companies.
- They will also help file a lawsuit to compensate for your losses if necessary.
Final Thoughts
Being involved in a road crash can be pretty frightening. It can numb your senses due to fear and the sudden shock. Knowing what steps to take immediately after the accident can help you care for yourself and anyone involved while protecting your legal rights.
The knowledge can also make the situation more manageable and help you control even the worst cases ahead. Read our article about the car accident news, stay informed, and drive safe.
