Every year, 20 to 50 million people suffer from non-fatal injuries as a result of a car accident. Because they’re so common, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll get in a fender bender someday.
You might be lucky enough to walk away unscathed. But there’s still a good chance your car will be damaged. So it’s a good idea to be prepared and know what to do after a car accident
Here are the 5 crucial steps you need to take.
Assess the Situation
Check over yourself and your passengers to see if there are any injuries. If anyone’s seriously hurt, dial 911 right away.
Then, check what condition your vehicle’s in. If possible, move it to the side so you’re not blocking traffic. Turn on your emergency lights so cars will know there’s a stopped vehicle in front of them.
Document the Scene
Chances are, you’ll need to file an insurance claim. This means you need all the evidence you can get.
Take pictures (and videos) of the road, as well as every car involved. Make sure to get close-ups of damage on each vehicle.
If people have been injured, take pictures of each bruise, cut, etc. as well. The more evidence, the better.
Exchange Information
Exchange information with all drivers and witnesses. The latter can be useful if you need testimony about what happened.
Not only should you get their full name, but also their phone numbers, addresses, driver’s licenses, license plate numbers, and car insurance information.
File an Insurance Claim
Contact your car insurance company to let them know you’ve been in an accident. Give them all the details and file a claim.
When your claim’s been processed, you should pay the deductible. After, your insurance provider will give you funds to fix your vehicle.
Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer
Not all car accident cases will be open and shut. This is especially true if the other parties are being belligerent and/or not cooperating. Even if they are, there’s a chance your own insurance company is lowballing the amount dispersed to you.
An experienced attorney (such as one from Sweet Lawyers) can be your voice. The legal world can be tough to navigate, especially if you’re dealing with emotional or physical trauma from the crash.
A car accident lawyer can file all the paperwork and be your voice so you don’t have added stress.
Know What to Do After a Car Accident
A car accident can be harrowing, and at the moment, you might freeze up and not know what to do. But now that you’ve learned about the key steps to take afterward, you’ll be able to handle your car crash smoothly.
Hopefully, you won’t have to put this knowledge to the test. But if you do, then you’ll be thankful you’ve learned this information beforehand!
If you want to learn more about legal matters, then keep reading our blog page.
