In a year, millions of car accidents occur in different countries all over the globe. In most of these cases, the victims face severe injuries, and some can be fatal. When you are part of a vehicular accident, undesirable consequences such as missing work or struggling with skyrocketing medical bills can result in unpleasant effects.
Being involved in a car accident, even if it is a minor one, can be nerve-wracking. With this in mind, you must be familiar with the steps to take forward.
It is important to note that the process when dealing with a car accident starts at the scene and ensures everyone is safe. If you have more questions and concerns about road accidents, you can read this article to get some answers. Hopefully, you will not be involved in a car crash, but you will know the next move to make if it happens to you.
- Stay Calm
After the ordeal, do not panic. Staying calm and maintaining a clear mind will make it easier to deal with the accident and the aftermath.
- Inspect for Injuries
After the accident, the initial move is to check yourself and any passengers in the vehicle for evident injuries. Call for help or request someone else to do it if someone sustains injuries, either in your vehicle or the other vehicle involved in the accident. In case you have serious injuries, do not attempt to move until help arrives.
- Moving Your Vehicle Out of the Road
If possible, you should clear the road by pulling your car over to the side so that it is out of the way of approaching vehicles.
In case the accident happens at night, you must switch on the hazard lights of your vehicle to make yourself visible to other cars. If you cannot move your vehicle, get yourself and others involved in the accident to a safe area away from the road.
- Assess the Damage on Both Vehicles
If you do not have any severe injuries and can check the vehicles for damage, do it as soon as possible. Try taking photos showing the position of the cars and the damages. If you cannot take pictures, you can draw a diagram to portray how the accident occurred.
- Report to Law Enforcement
In serious accidents, you should call law enforcement to the scene. The police can provide an outline of the accident, which you can ask for a copy of for insurance purposes.
- Exchange Details with the Other Driver
Depending on your area’s regulations, you should exchange information with the other driver involved in the accident. A good start is exchanging names and insurance information, but you can also obtain the following:
- Phone number
- Model and make of the driver’s vehicle
- Witness contact details
It is important to get the information of the other involved parties so that your respective insurance companies can communicate with each other and determine what compensation is appropriate.
- Decide Whether to File an Insurance Claim
Your car insurance aims to protect you financially if involved in an accident. Depending on your insurance policy, the collision coverage will cover damages to your vehicle, while medical or personal injury coverage will cover the cost of any injuries you have.
Whether you will file a claim or not will depend on the following:
- Who was at fault
- The seriousness of the damage to both vehicles
- Injuries, either minor or serious
- Type and amount of insurance coverage you have
- Type and amount of insurance coverage of the other driver
In case you decide to file a claim, contact your insurance company right away after the accident. Insurance companies have processes for filing claims and details you must provide. Ensure that you provide all the available documentation, including photos of the accident, other driver’s information, and a copy of the police report.
- Seek Medical Attention
Some kinds of injuries brought about by car accidents are not immediately apparent, such as head, muscle, and joint injuries. Some individuals only begin to experience pain a day or two after the accident. Unless you are extremely confident that you do not have any injuries after the car accident, you must seek medical attention.
- Calling a Lawyer
After you receive medical care for injuries related to the accident, always keep a record of your clinic or doctor visits along with medications and treatments you receive. Call an attorney and discuss the accident, medical treatment, and other essential details to assess your case. Select a law office specializing in auto accident cases to ensure that you will get the right compensation.
Conclusion
Vehicular accidents result in significant injuries and deaths every year. Although there are ways to lower the chances of being involved in one, you never know when one will occur. In case you are part of an accident, knowing the steps to take after the ordeal is vital so that you are on the right track in case of liabilities later on.
