Most drivers get into a car accident sooner or later. However, a lot of people make a bad situation worse by doing the wrong things. Doing the right things can keep you out of trouble and the situation from getting worse. Reacting the proper way after a car accident can often mean a better outcome.
Here are the steps that you should take after a car accident: Call 911. This is the first thing you should do because it is the fastest way to get professionals (firefighters, police officers and paramedics) with the proper equipment to the scene.
Call right away even if the accident looks minor because you don’t know what damage has been done. Having the police on the scene is a good idea because tempers often flare after accidents. Aggressive individuals often calm down faster and start behaving themselves as soon as the police show up.
Take pictures of the damage to your car as soon as possible if you can. Most phones these days have a really good camera.
Record damage to your car as soon as possible if you can. Take several pictures of the damage to the other cars. Take a picture of the other cars license plates.If you are hurt let the paramedics examine you and follow their advice. If they want to take you to the hospital go with them.
If somebody is badly injured wait for the ambulance or paramedics to arrive unless emergency personnel tell you otherwise. Don’t try to drive them to the hospital yourself unless 911 operators or the police tell you to do so.
Get the vehicles as far off the road as is practically possible. The last thing you want to happen is to cause another accident. Get the name and contact information for other drivers. Then ask for the names and contact information for any witnesses.
Politely ask to see the insurance cards and registrations of the other drivers involved but don’t make a big deal of it. If they don’t want to show you those documents wait until the police arrive and let them ask the questions.
Call your insurance company as soon as possible. Many insurance companies have an app you can add to your smartphone. This can provide instant contact and make filing a claim easier.
There are also some dumb moves that can make an accident much worse. Some of these actions include not calling the police or 911. This means there’s no legal record of the accident, which can make it hard to file an insurance claim. It also means there will be no paramedics to examine injured persons and help them. It can also make it easier for the other driver to get away.
Not getting the other driver’s insurance information is also a major mistake. If the other driver leaves you might not get that information.
Getting into a dispute with the other driver at the accident scene is an emotional mistake. Fights and arguments will do you no good and will make the situation only worse. If the other driver is irrational or becomes physically aggressive let the police deal with that individual.
The only documents you should sign at the accident scene are the police accident report and paperwork provided by a representative of your insurance company. Never sign any document that the other driver or his insurance company gives you at the scene. Get a copy of the document and show it to your lawyer or insurance company before you sign it. Remember you might be signing away your rights.
Here are the steps that you should take after a car accident: Call 911. This is the first thing you should do because it is the fastest way to get professionals (firefighters, police officers and paramedics) with the proper equipment to the scene.
Call right away even if the accident looks minor because you don’t know what damage has been done. Having the police on the scene is a good idea because tempers often flare after accidents. Aggressive individuals often calm down faster and start behaving themselves as soon as the police show up.
Take pictures of the damage to your car as soon as possible if you can. Most phones these days have a really good camera.
Record damage to your car as soon as possible if you can. Take several pictures of the damage to the other cars. Take a picture of the other cars license plates.If you are hurt let the paramedics examine you and follow their advice. If they want to take you to the hospital go with them.
If somebody is badly injured wait for the ambulance or paramedics to arrive unless emergency personnel tell you otherwise. Don’t try to drive them to the hospital yourself unless 911 operators or the police tell you to do so.
Get the vehicles as far off the road as is practically possible. The last thing you want to happen is to cause another accident. Get the name and contact information for other drivers. Then ask for the names and contact information for any witnesses.
Politely ask to see the insurance cards and registrations of the other drivers involved but don’t make a big deal of it. If they don’t want to show you those documents wait until the police arrive and let them ask the questions.
Call your insurance company as soon as possible. Many insurance companies have an app you can add to your smartphone. This can provide instant contact and make filing a claim easier.
There are also some dumb moves that can make an accident much worse. Some of these actions include not calling the police or 911. This means there’s no legal record of the accident, which can make it hard to file an insurance claim. It also means there will be no paramedics to examine injured persons and help them. It can also make it easier for the other driver to get away.
Not getting the other driver’s insurance information is also a major mistake. If the other driver leaves you might not get that information.
Getting into a dispute with the other driver at the accident scene is an emotional mistake. Fights and arguments will do you no good and will make the situation only worse. If the other driver is irrational or becomes physically aggressive let the police deal with that individual.
The only documents you should sign at the accident scene are the police accident report and paperwork provided by a representative of your insurance company. Never sign any document that the other driver or his insurance company gives you at the scene. Get a copy of the document and show it to your lawyer or insurance company before you sign it. Remember you might be signing away your rights.
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