In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 42,915 people passed away in motor vehicle accidents. Among those fatalities are pedestrians, cyclists, and others who may have died in a crash. Distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving, among others, are the leading causes of car accidents.
You should be ready for an accident regardless of whether you caused the incident or not. Here are several steps to take after an auto accident.
1. Make Sure Everyone is Safe
According to capazlaw.com, the first thing you should do at an accident scene is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Turn off your car, turn on the hazard lights and exit your vehicle if possible. If there are any injuries, call 911 to get an ambulance and the police at the scene as fast as possible. You can give first aid to those injured as you wait for help.
You may want to call the non-emergency police hotline for minor accidents to get a report. Stay at the scene until the law enforcements release you.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
You need to call your insurance company to report the accident. It is best if you are the first to contact your insurance company to inform them about the accident details so they can start building a claim for you. The insurance company may send an insurance adjuster to assess the scene.
Even in minor accidents, it is vital to inform your insurance company in due time. In addition to the protection, failure to call insurance company puts your compensation at risk.
3. Evaluate the Scene
Assess the scene as you wait for help by taking pictures of the vehicles and any other wreckage where the accident has occurred. After taking photos, you can move the vehicle, mainly when they cause traffic. After that, exchange contacts with other drivers involved in the accident.
It is also essential to take the auto insurance information and the car’s license plate. This will be vital if any relatable claims about the accident arise later.
4. Seek Medical Attention
It will help if you visit a doctor for a check-up after a car accident, even if you seem to have few injuries. This is because it is common for people involved in minor accidents not to notice injury symptoms until a few days or weeks later after the accident.
Car accidents release endorphins and adrenaline, triggering your body’s fight reaction. Because of your increased level of excitement, you may not feel the pain of your injuries, even if they are minor. Lastly, avoid disclosing your records to the other party’s insurance company while seeking medical attention.
Car accidents are unforeseeable, and we ought to get prepared in case one occurs. When one occurs, take precautions to receive total compensation and avoid being wrongly accused. It would help if you were also ready to provide documents, such as a copy of the police report, photos, and information about the other motorist involved in the scene.
