What to Do After a Car Accident
Being involved in an accident is a shocking experience that can cause confusion. Immediately after the accident, you might be disoriented and wonder what to do next. However, even in that bewilderment, you likely want to take the right steps to avoid risking your life and that of other road users.
Also, the proper course of action after the accident can help you avoid liability for other people's actions. Additionally, you can gather strong evidence for your car crash claim on the accident scene. To ensure you're ready for such an occurrence, this article explores the necessary steps you should take if you're a car accident victim.
Get to Safety
Most people mistakenly believe they should stop at the scene of an accident, even when it's in the middle of a busy highway. However, if you get into an accident, your top priority should be to get to a safe area. While relocating to a secure location is not regarded as leaving the scene, don't take the car away from the scene.
Move to a safe spot near the accident scene where you can evaluate your injuries and damaged property. In such an area, you can also communicate with other drivers involved.
Check for Injuries
Once you have reached a safe area and you've regained your composure, look over yourself, your passengers, and anyone in the other car for injuries. Remember that the adrenaline rush may prevent you from noticing an injury you may have sustained and its severity.
As such, visit a medical facility for a checkup, even if you feel fine after an accident, to ascertain you sustained no injuries. Also, some injuries may be unnoticeable after the accident but may worsen over time to even become life-threatening.
After confirming you and your passengers are fine, check on the health status of the other driver. In case of minor injuries, cautiously administer first aid and call 911. Call first responders immediately for severe injuries to get the victims attended to as soon as possible.
Communicate With the Other Party
After ensuring your safety and that of others, get the relevant information from other drivers. Ask questions about the other driver's names, license numbers, license plate numbers, addresses, and phone numbers. Also, take note of the insurance providers of all the drivers involved.
However, be careful when speaking to the other party. Arguing, yelling, or blaming other involved parties can prove costly in the future. Thus, you need to remain calm regardless of who was at fault.
Also, when speaking to other drivers, avoid apologizing or admitting fault for the accident. Speak to a reputable car accident attorney who will guide you on the best course of action.
Acquire Relevant Claim Information
After acquiring crucial details of other drivers, gather the necessary evidence that might strengthen your car accident case. Consider getting visual evidence such as photographs and videos of the accident scene featuring road conditions, weather, landmarks, traffic signs, and marks such as skidding. Also, take photos of all the involved vehicles highlighting the damage suffered.
Such visual evidence can help your attorney reconstruct the accident to help determine who was at fault.
Also, if someone witnessed the accident, record their statement when the accounts are still clear and take their names and contact information. And when police report to the scene of the accident, make sure to get a copy of the police report.
If you're involved in an accident, contact an experienced car accident attorney immediately. The attorney will offer you legal guidance on the best course of action and your legal options. At Borbi, Clancy & Patrizi, we're ready to guide and represent you after a car crash. Contact us today for a free consultation.