Car accidents happen on a daily basis. In most cases, it can be no more than a fender-bender, in other instances, it can be fatal; and leave some serious scars—both visible and invisible—to all the persons involved.
Every year, some 38,000 motorists die because of accidents on the road. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claimed that road accidents are the leading cause of unnatural deaths for persons aged 1 to 54 years. Every motorist is expected to strictly follow the rules while on the road. Wearing seatbelts and other safety devices, as well as avoiding alcohol when driving also help minimize the risks of major damages.
However, if the unexpected happens, are you fully aware of what to do to make sure everyone’s safe? Here are a few reminders on how to deal with a car accident appropriately.
- Inform your insurance company
If you have time, call your insurance provider to inform them about the accident and ask about the requirements you need to gather while at the accident scene. Ask if you can avail of medical coverage and use it for your check-up, even if you feel okay. Continue reading this to learn more about medical exams after a road crash.
- Don’t flee the scene
Stay and keep the car safe. Turn off the engine and pull up the handbrake. Ideally, you should try to preserve the accident scene by not moving anything and leaving things as it is. Try to move by the side of the road for safety, though, especially if you’re a biker or a motorcyclist. However, if your vehicle is causing a hazard, you may move the car to a safer place but not until you’ve taken a picture of it.
Keep your car flashers on or place a safety device near your car to avoid further accidents, especially if the accident happened at night.
- Check yourself and your passengers
If you can move, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If you’re injured and are immobile, call for help and ask another person to call 911 for help. Wait for the emergency medical team to arrive.
If you feel dizzy and your neck is painful, it may be caused bywhiplash, or a soft tissue injury on the neck.
- Contact the police
In some states, you’re legally mandated to report any type of car accident. Regardless of the laws in your state, though, it’s essential to contact the police for proper scene and incident documentation. The documents filed by the police can be very useful in applying for insurance claims or for when you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Call emergency services
Whether the accident caused nothing more than a dent, or major damages in both cars involved, it’s important that all of the motorists involved undergo a medical check-up. Some injuries are not visible, as are the cases for traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding. Having access to prompt and adequate medical care following a car accident is critical. It can save lives or prevent injuries from getting worse. You may be driving a hi-tech car, but that doesn’t make you invincible.
- Document the incident
While waiting for the emergency medical services and the police to arrive, take photos of the accident while it’s untouched. If you have enough time, consider taking the following pertinent information:
- Photos of both cars from all angles, but focusing on the damages incurred by your car
- Car make, color and model
- Location and approximate time of the car accident
- Circumstances of the car crash
- Visible injuries caused by the collision
- Cooperate with the police and medical team
When the police officer arrives, refrain from interfering with the investigation. Answer all the questions and recount the incident based in what you remember. If you couldn’t remember or don’t know, tell the police. Avoid making up stories that could exacerbate the situation. However, keep yourself from issuing an apology and always seek for proper legal advice before making any action.
In the same vein, if the medical services arrive and ask if you’re injured, tell them you don’t know instead of saying no. Some injuries are not immediately visible after a road crash.
- Exchange information
A police office typically asks for the complete information of all persons involved in the car accident. If you have time, make sure to gather the following information:
- Details of the other driver such as driving license details (name, issuing state, etc.)
- Name of the other driver’s insurer, and policy number, if available
- The other car’s license plate and registration details
- Take the names and contact numbers of witnesses (in a few lines, note down what they saw)
- Also allow the other driver to ask for these details from you
- Consult your attorney
If you’re planning to file a personal injury lawsuit, or maybe want to ask for legal advice, set an appointment with your lawyer. An attorney works for your best interests and will uphold your rights.
Final Thoughts
Avoid unnecessary problems during and after a car accident by following these reminders. Practice peace of mind so you won’t leave important procedures undone, potentially causing issues in your insurance claim and car repairs.