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5 Essential Things To Do After A Car Accident

Did you know that there are on average 6 million car accidents each year in the US?

There are a number of ways to ensure that you don’t have a car accident, but sometimes there’s nothing that you can do to prevent it from happening.

So, what do you do after you’ve had a car accident? Discover our guide on what to do after a car accident.

What To Do After an Auto Accident?

 Attorney

About half of the six million car accidents don’t involve injuries, instead, the car will take the brunt of the damage.

After the initial shock of an accident, you need to try and stay calm and make sure you do the below 5 essential things after you’ve had a car accident.

1. Take Safety Precautions

Are you wondering how to handle a car accident if it happens to you? The very first thing that you need to do is ensure you take the necessary safety precautions.

No matter how serious the car accident is, always make sure you stop.

Move vehicles out of the traffic to a safe place, depending on how serious the car accident is. It is best to leave the vehicles where they are – unless they are interfering with other traffic.

If you can’t move the car, then just stay put. Turn your car off and put on your hazard lights to show other drivers that you are stationary.

If you have cones or warning triangles, then you can use these to corner the area off to make sure it is safe for other drivers.

The final part of taking the necessary safety precautions is calling the police. Even if there are no serious injuries it is always good to call them because you might need a police report to file a claim to your insurance company.

If you or other’s are injured, make sure you call for an ambulance too.

 

2. Collect Information

car accident

The next thing you need to do is gather information about everyone else involved in the accident.

You’ll need to make a note of:

  • the drivers and passengers (their names and contact information)
  • a description of the vehicle/s (the make, the model, the year)
  • the driver’s license numbers
  • the license plate numbers
  • the driver’s insurance company and policy numbers
  • any eyewitnesses details (their name and contact information)
  • the scene’s location and address
  • the police officer’s names and badge numbers.

It is also a good idea to take photos of the vehicles involved and the accident scene.
Remember to not sign any documents, unless it is for the police or your insurance agent. And also be sure not to tell anyone that the accident was your fault.

 

3. Talk To The Emergency Services

The police officers who arrive at the scene of the accident are here to help you and make sure that everything is dealt with safely and fairly. So, make sure you speak to the police officers in a calm and collected manner.

When speaking to the police, you will need to tell them exactly what happened – to the best of your ability.

If you don’t know the exact facts, just tell them you don’t know. Don’t make anything up, guess, or speculate about what happened.

Make sure the other people’s accounts, who were involved in the accident, are accurate too.

Remember that pain and injuries that follow a car accident can sometimes become apparent hours after the collision.

So let the paramedics check you over and get a professional opinion of if you are okay.

 

4. Report The Accident

You need to make sure you report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. A lot of policies require immediate reporting and full cooperation.

If you require medical assistance, find out if your insurance covers medical benefits. Medpay is the type of coverage that offers this, so if you have this then make sure you submit your medical bills to your insurance company.

Make sure you stay on top of all your documentation of the accident. Keep a neatly organized file about the accident.

The information should include a claim number, the claim’s adjuster who is handling the claim, names and phone numbers of all contacts (including those involved in the accident that you took after the accident), receipts for a rental car (if this applies to you) and any other expenses caused by the accident (such as medical bills etc.)

 

5. Consult Your Attorney

 Attorney

If the accident was very serious, make sure you find one of the best auto accident attorneys, because they will help you protect your rights.

Your attorney can make sure that your rights are protected and that any vital pieces of evidence aren’t destroyed.

Insurance companies often want to take statements as soon as possible, but it is always a good idea to speak to an attorney first.

It is common among insurers to try to reduce the compensation amount they have to pay the victims of an accident. That is why it is better for them  to apply for an experienced car accident lawyer , who can entirely advocate their vulnerable rights. Being legally represented, clients  can conduct fruitful negotiations  and take cost effective settlements.

Your attorney will be able to offer you advice on things such as how to make sure you’re getting fully compensated for your car and how to ensure you’re receiving the best medical treatment available.

Learn more about how you can save money when you are repairing your car.

 

What To Do After A Car Accident

Unfortunately, car accidents can’t always be prevented so if you are involved in a car accident, try to remain calm and deal with the situation as best as you can.

If you aren’t sure what to do after a car accident, make sure you follow these 5 essential steps.

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