Traffic accidents are inevitable. There are over 10 million of them that take place each year in the United States (not to mention globally). Knowing what to do after an accident is crucial since they may be nerve-wracking, even if they are minor. Making sure everyone involved is safe at the scene is the first step in dealing with an accident. Hopefully, you will not ever be a part of one, but if you are, then you should take the following steps.
Make Sure Everyone’s Safe
Check to see whether anyone is hurt right away. If so, dial 911 to summon the police and an ambulance. In certain places, calling the police is necessary regardless of how small the incident was or how cooperative the other driver was. Additionally, you will have a formal report to present to the insurance provider, which they will probably request. Put on the warning lights if they are still operating. To prevent getting hit by oncoming vehicles, make sure to totally pull off the road. Set up any flares or reflective emergency triangles you may have to warn other drivers. Also, get everyone out of the car and move them to a secure location away from the road if there seems to be an explosive threat.
Be Careful While Talking to Other Drivers
Figure out if you feel comfortable talking to the other motorist and whether you can do it discreetly without the help of the police. Even if you think you are at fault, refrain from making any admissions or publicly apologizing while you are waiting for the police. Avoid becoming angry with the other driver. Even if the other person was a drunk driver or distracted motorist, do not blame them for the crash. Avoid arguing over who was at fault for the collision when it occurs since the insurance companies will decide that. Instead, wait for your lawyer to help you deal with all the legal complexities that may follow and ultimately get the best possible result out of this not-so-nice situation. You should also keep any potential injuries out of the conversation.
Collect Important Information
Take images of documents using your phone’s camera, or write down the names, addresses, phone numbers, and license numbers of everyone who was involved in the accident. Determine the person’s connection to the car’s owner if the driver’s name does not match the registration or insurance documents. Then, compile all relevant car data, such as the year, make, model, color, license plate number, and VIN. If the other driver does not report the event, get their insurance policy number and their phone number. Ask any witnesses if they would be willing to provide you with their names, numbers, and descriptions of what they saw. Never expose your social security number or any other private information, either.
Contact Insurance Company
You should get in touch with your insurance company after the accident. Although you might not have been at fault, you should nevertheless let them know that you were involved in an accident in case the other driver lacked insurance. Additionally, your insurance provider can assist by giving your lawyer pertinent details about the other driver and any insurance they might have. After a few days have passed since the collision, you should call the at-fault party’s insurance company to inform them that you were involved in a collision with one of their drivers. Give the other insurance company simply the bare minimum of information while speaking with them. Additionally, avoid providing a recorded statement if you intend to consult an attorney. The insurance company may use these against you, and they often weaken your case.
Call a Lawyer
Your next phone call has to go to an experienced traffic accident lawyer once you’ve reported your accident to the insurance company. Even if you believe the accident was minor, you should make sure you are covered since you never know what consequences can arise. Even if it appears that your damages will be covered by the insurance company, you still need to have a lawyer on standby. Keep in mind that insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind; they only want to pay the least amount feasible. Your rights and interests in the lawsuit will be effectively preserved with the aid of an attorney. Make a call as soon as possible, so they can begin building the case earlier (if needed).
Even experienced drivers might get anxious after an accident, but taking these precautions can lessen your anxiety. Whether you were at fault for the accident or not, they might be able to assist you with the crucial decisions you need to make.
