What To Do In The Event Of A Car Accident
Although we can’t control car accidents, there are many things we can do to avoid them. However, if you’ve been unintentionally caught up in a car accident, it is prudent to take the right steps to avoid worsening the situation and to help you pay for an insurance claim without problems. Here’s what you need to do in the event of a car accident.
Don’t Run Off Or Move Your Car After An Accident
First and foremost, stay calm. Whether it’s a serious car accident or a minor mishap, don’t leave the scene of an accident. Failure to adhere to this rule is a traffic offense.
Make sure you switch on your hazard lights to alert other road users and switch off your car’s engine. If the crash is severe and you see smoke exit the vehicle in case of a fire or explosion. If it’s possible move your vehicle to the side of the road.
Protect The Accident Scene
To prevent further accidents, keep your flashers on or set up flares. If it is dark and your lights cannot work, turn on your flashlight to stay safe as you wait by the roadside or in your disabled car. If you or someone in the vehicle is severely injured, and it is safe to do so, it is best to wait for emergency services to arrive before attempting to exit or remove someone from the vehicle. This is to prevent further injury, especially in the case of potential spinal injuries.
Call For Help After A Car Accident
Your priority should be the safety of everyone involved in the accident. If there’s anyone that has been injured, contact the emergency services immediately. You will need to give them your location and complete details about the injuries. Avoid moving anyone that has been injured unless they are in immediate danger. Having your phone on you after an accident can save a life.
Call The Police
If the collision has caused injuries, destruction to public property, a critical situation, or when someone who has been involved in the accident leaves the scene without providing the details, call the police, or call 911. Make sure no one moves the vehicles until the police arrive.
Legally, you are required to call the police even when there are no serious injuries. Get the badge numbers and names of the police at the scene. These responding officers will document the scene and fill out an accident report. The reason is that to file a claim with your insurance provider, you will need a police report.
Make An Accurate Record
Tell the investigating officers exactly what happened between the vehicles involved as best as you can. If you don’t know particular facts, tell that to the officers as well. Don’t misstate, guess or speculate any information. If they ask you if you are injured and you are unsure, say you’re not sure, instead of saying no.
Usually, injuries and pain from a car accident become apparent several hours after the collision. Ensure statements given by other individuals involved in the accident are also accurate. This will be a big deal later for your auto insurance.
Collect Vital Information
Using a pen and paper, get the name, phone number, driver’s license number, and address of everyone involved in the accident, and use your phone camera to take pictures of essential documents. If the driver’s name doesn’t match with the car’s insurance or registration papers, find out the driver’s relationship to the car’s owner.
Collect all vehicle data, including:
- The Vehicle Make
- Vehicle Model
- Vehicle Identification Number
- License Plate Number
- Vehicle Year
- Vehicle Color
Share your insurance information. Get the insurance policy number and the insurance phone number just in case the driver doesn’t report the accident. If any witnesses will give you details about what they saw, get their contact information as well. Getting all of the proper information can save you money.
Don’t give your social security number, insurance policy coverage limits, or provide any other personal information.
Report The Accident To Your Insurance
Inform your insurance company of any accident as soon as possible. Many insurance companies need you to report an accident immediately and provide full cooperation. Find out if your insurance coverage also offers medical benefits. This kind of coverage, also known as medpay, requires you to pay extra for it, so use it.
If you have medpay insurance coverage, they require you to provide any accident-related medical bills you have incurred to your insurance provider. When your medpay benefits are exhausted, you will use your private health insurance as your main insurer. A medpay policy also covers all the occupants of your vehicle, and your insurance rates need not increase when you submit claims for medpay coverage.
Visit Your Doctor
You may feel fine immediately after the accident; however, some injuries become apparent hours later. You can sustain serious spinal or head injuries from minor impacts. So if you experience unusual symptoms or even pain, visit your doctor. Usually, your auto insurance claim includes injuries that have resulted from a car crash.
So it is vital to document any physical harm that arises from such an accident. If you are a resident of Texas, you may need to consult friendly Houston Texas personal injury attorneys to help you file such claims. In the St. Louis area, you can consult these St. Louis personal injury attorneys.
Probably the most vital thing you need to do after an accident is to contact an attorney. Your attorney will protect your rights and ensure crucial evidence is not covered up or destroyed. You also need to receive legal advice before making statements. Your attorney will advise you on how you can receive the best medical treatment and compensation for your vehicle as well.
They can guide you or handle the stresses that come with properly filing accident reports to your health and auto insurance. By doing this alone you could risk not having everything covered.
We hope these tips help you with what to do in the event of a car accident.
What To Do In The Event Of A Car Accident FAQs
What Is The First Thing You Should Do If You Are Involved In An Accident?
* Stay at the Scene. * Check on All Drivers and Passengers. * Call the Police. * Exchange Information. * Talk to Witnesses. * Inform Your Insurance Company. * Keep Track of Your Medical Treatment. * Take Pictures.
What Are Three Things You Should Do When You Get Into A Car Accident?
* STOP. Never drive away from the scene of an accident, even a minor one. * PROTECT THE SCENE. * CALL THE POLICE.
Should I Call My Insurance Or Theirs?
Despite the circumstances, whether you are at fault or not, you should always call your insurance if you are involved in an accident. Whether you have found it damaged while parked or in any other unfortunate circumstance, you need to contact your insurance immediately.
What Is Your First Responsibility When Approaching An Accident Scene?
As a first aider, the very first thing you should do upon arriving at an incident scene is to check for any hazards to yourself or bystanders. A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm.
Can I Drive My Car After An Accident?
Get a grip, if the damage isn't major it's fine to drive, hence why the police will let you drive away after an accident if the car is driveable. A llight crash damaged car is no more dangerous to innocent people than any other, it's the driver that is generally the problem you pious drama queen.