An auto accident isn’t something you can predict or prepare for. It just happens. When accidents happen, panic settles in. You don’t know what to do. You’re worried about your car, your injuries, and the other driver. Understanding what you need to do after an accident is crucial in ensuring that you stay calm throughout. While each person deals with accidents in their way, there are certain things that you can do to ensure that you don’t have a hard time with them. Here is a list of a few pieces of advice that might come in handy when dealing with accidents.
Staying calm: You have just had an accident, and staying calm might be the farthest thing from your mind. But it’s important to stay calm. This will help you think straight and take the necessary steps.
Check for injuries: Nothing matters more than your health. You wouldn’t want to risk your life by not checking for injuries. After an accident, the first thing you should do is to check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If anyone is injured, call for medical help immediately.
Call the police: You might think the damage isn’t big enough to warrant a police report, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Having a police report will make filing an insurance claim easier. The police will also help manage traffic and control the situation.
Exchange information: Once you’ve called the police, exchange information with the other driver, such as names, contact details, insurance information, and license plate numbers. You must get all this information if you need to file a claim or report the accident to your insurance company.
Document the accident: Take pictures of the damages to both cars, get the surveillance camera footage, and also pictures of any injuries you or your passengers might have. These pictures will help file an insurance claim. It’s also a good idea to get the contact information of any witnesses. They might be able to help you with what happened if there are any disputes about who was at fault for the accident.
Notify your insurance company: You’ll need to contact your insurance company and let them know about the accident regardless of who was at fault. Your insurance company will then guide you through the next steps, such as getting your car repaired and filing a claim.
Accidents are never fun, but knowing what to do afterward can help you get through it. Stay calm, check for injuries, call the police, exchange information, document the accident, and notify your insurance company. These steps will help ensure that you’re taking care of everything you need to after an accident. But while it’s important to know what to do, it’s equally crucial to understand what you don’t need to do.
Fleeing the scene: Did you know that hit-and-run accidents are a felony in the state of California? If you’re involved in an accident, regardless of how minor it may be, you are required by law to stop and exchange information with the other driver. If you don’t and someone is injured or killed, you could face serious charges.
Getting into roadside accidents: One of the things that you would want to avoid is getting into roadside discussions. This is especially true if the other driver is agitated. These discussions can quickly escalate and turn violent. If you’re feeling threatened, it’s always better to call the police.
So if you’ve been in an accident, even a fender bender, the first thing you should do is pull over to a safe spot and turn off your engine. Once you’re safely off the road, take a deep breath and stay calm. Next, you’ll want to assess the situation and see if anyone is injured. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately.
If everyone is okay, the next step is to exchange information with the other driver. You’ll want to get their name, phone number, insurance company, and policy number. It’s also a good idea to take down their license plate number just in case they decide to leave the scene.
Once you have this information, you can call your insurance company and start the claims process. They will likely send an adjuster out to assess the damage and give you an estimate for repairs. If your car is totaled, they will also give you a payout for its value.
Sometimes, your insurance company may try to lowball you on your claim or deny it entirely. If this happens, you may need to hire a lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. But in most cases, following these steps will help you get your car repaired and back on the road as soon as possible.
