Are you sure what to do in case of a car accident? If you are in one, you may be suffering from injuries and emotions, which may alter your judgment. However, there are a number of things you should at the scene of an accident to help your auto insurance provider.
Follow, our six steps below and learn more about what you should do if you are ever in an accident.
1. Don’t Leave the Scene of the Accident
Even if you think you are allowed to, you should never leave the scene of the accident. If you leave the scene and the other driver or passengers have been harmed or killed, you can face a number of charges, such as being a hit-and-run driver.
2. Report Your Accident to the Authorities
Even the smallest of accidents should get the authorities involved. Depending on the type of car accident at hand, officers can fill out a full report to keep on record and give to your insurance provider. However, if you need to make the report, you should try making it as accurate as possible. Remember, you should keep a record of the report in case you end up in court.
3. Properly Document the Accident
Unless you’re injured and need medical attention, you should try documenting the car accident soon after it happens. You should work on taking pictures of any damage to your car, the cars involved, the area of the accident, and landmarks that may have caused the crash. However, you should also write down when and where the car accident happened, the direction you were driving, and how fast you were going.
4. Get Information From the Other Parties
Make sure that you get the numbers, addresses, names, driver’s license numbers, plate numbers, and insurance information of all the drivers and passengers involved in the accident. However, while you’re getting this information, you should never apologize at the scene of the accident. An apology means you are assuming liability for the crash.
5. Record any Injuries and Medical Treatment You Go Through
One of the first things you should do after an accident is to make sure everybody is alright. First, ensure you are not injured in any way. Then, check the other passengers in your car and anybody in the other vehicle, too. Sometimes physical injuries are not always visible. If somebody is acting differently than usual or they seem generally out of it, you should call 911. They may have some sort of internal injury, which can often be even worse than external injuries. Waiting to head to the doctor can make any potential injury more serious.
If you or anybody else involved in the accident receive medical care, be sure to document it properly. Take note of any doctor, physical therapist, and other health care professional that you get treatment from. You should also keep records of any treatment plans and medications you are given. Keep your bills and medical reports, too. You can use these to prove your medical expenses if needed later on.
Though your medical expenses are easier to prove, pain and suffering are a lot more difficult. This is why you should also keep a record of exactly how your injuries have affected your day to day life. Be sure to note any missed days of work and regular activities that could not be completed. You should also write down how your injuries have impacted your family and their daily lives.
6. Call Your Insurance Company
Shortly after the accident, you should call your insurance company and inform them that you have been in a car accident. Answer all of their questions honestly and give them your account of what happened. You should also inform them of any injuries sustained during the event. Be sure to give a clear and detailed explanation. You should also look over a police report if it was filed. This way, you can see which traffic laws were broken and prove fault.
Car accidents are a fairly common occurrence, though they are never easy to deal with. If you sustained any injury, consider calling a personal injury attorney to help handle your claim. By following these six steps, you can ensure that the situation, your insurance claim, and any following lawsuit will be handled properly.
