There are more than 16,000 car accidents every day across the United States. Many of these accidents result in injuries, property damage, and even death.
There are steps that you need to take following a car accident, whether it was your fault or not. The simplest of mistakes could be costly.
You could end up with a pile of medical bills that insurance won’t pay. It’s possible that you could be found partially at fault.
How can you make sure that your rights are protected at the scene of an accident? Read on to find out what to do in a car accident.
Check on Others in the Car Crash
The first thing that you need to do is to check yourself to see if you suffered any injuries. Take a breath, and if you’re OK, then check on others involved in the accident.
If there are injuries, then call for help. You might be able to get a bystander to help you call 911.
Move the Vehicles to Safety
An accident in the middle of the road presents a dangerous situation for you and others involved in the car crash. Cars are going to try to get around you to get to where they’re going.
You want to clear the road as soon as you can. Move the cars to the side of the road if you can. If you can’t move the cars, then put flares or hazard signs up for other cars.
Turn your engine off and use your hazard lights as an added safety measure.
Don’t Say Much
What you say following a car accident can hurt you. If you admit fault or even apologize to the other driver, you can hurt your chances for a claim.
Be calm, cordial, and factual when talking to other people about the accident. Exchange information but don’t go beyond that. You want to exchange driver’s license and insurance information, where the accident happened, and the make, model, and license plate number of the other car.
Call the Police
The police should get involved to take a police report, even for minor accidents. If the police don’t go to the scene of the accident, then file a report at your nearest precinct station.
Your insurance company is likely to ask for a copy of the report. Get the name of the officer who took the report and a copy of the report.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You do need to get your insurance company involved to file a claim. You can reach out to your agent at the scene of the accident to find out what you need for the claim.
Do your research to learn more about dealing with the insurance company. They may want a quick and cheap settlement. You may need to hire an attorney to help you get a fair insurance settlement.
Know What to Do After a Car Accident
It’s critical to know what to do following a car accident. One small mistake and you could lose an insurance claim. Follow the steps in this article and you’ll avoid that.
Ready for more legal tips? Check out the other articles on the blog today!
