Have You Been in a Car Accident?

There are more than six million car accidents in the U.S every year. Fortunately, most of them only involve property damage, with many occupants escaping uninjured. If you have experienced an accident, you probably understand how much of a harrowing experience it is. It happens in a split second, but the impact ripples through for several days into the future.  What’s worse, depending on whose fault it is, you’ll be set back a couple of thousand dollars in repairs. 

So, what should you do?

The actions to take after an accident depends on the situation and specifics of the collision. Is another party involved? Who is at Fault? Is anyone injured? Is the damage extreme?

All in all, accidents can happen in several ways. You could get hit by another car; you could also bump into another car, lose control and so on. Regardless of the cause, the next few moments are frightening, and it might take some time to accept the reality of the situation. 

Related: Tips For Safe Driving In Fall

Is anyone Injured?

Car accidents often have injuries, some minor, others, fatal. It’s not uncommon not to have injuries after an accident. However, you still need to be watchful; some injuries may manifest a couple of days later. Whatever happens, it’s important to take the recommended action and call emergency services to provide first aid.

Call the police

Inform the police giving them an accurate account of events, reporting only facts. If asked about something you are unsure of, clarify your ignorance rather than offering wrong information. File your report to the nearest Police Station. During the interview, the police will gather everyone’s details. However, if the police don’t show up or get delayed, you need to exchange details with the other driver and check for validity from their insurance.

Make detailed notes

For your benefit, prepare detailed notes that pertain to information of all other people involved, including vehicle registration and color, damage, casualties, drivers, and witnesses. This information should include their names and contact details. If you had a dashcam on, download all the data leading to the accident, chances are it captured every moment. Also, if your phone has a decent camera, take pictures of the scene, including signs, and markings in the area.

Last-minute checks

After completing all the formalities, you need to get down and claim your vehicle and personal insurance. You could either get in touch with your lawyer for advice or contact your insurance company directly. Based on the car collision experience lawyers have, it’s better to have them take the load off your hands. They will ensure you get the maximum out of your insurance and will even run easy-to-forget priority checks such as contacting the DMV.