After getting involved in a car accident, you’re bound to be in a state of confusion. This is true, especially it’s your first time. However, regardless of the seriousness of the accident, it’s vital to remain calm the entire time.
If involved in a car accident, take these steps after a car accident:
Life Comes First
First things first. Check whether anyone involved in the accident needs medical attention. If possible, don’t move the cars involved in the accident unless they’re causing massive traffic pile up. Instead, wait until the police arrive at the scene to assess the situation and give their report.
Call the Authorities
Again, regardless of the seriousness of the accident, it’s important to call the police. Usually, the police report is critical in determining who was at fault during the accident. Afterward, you’ll have to file a police report.
Make Minimal Conversation with the Other Party
Unless your aim is to find out whether the other party needs urgent medical attention, restrain yourself from talking with the other driver. This is because you may end up admitting liability or fault for the accident even if you weren’t the one to blame.
As a result, you’ll end up paying the other party. The only people you can talk to include your insurance representative, the police and medical personnel.
Check the Car’s Information
This is the part many people forget yet it’s the most important and is the main reason why you must remain calm. For this section, list the vehicle description, the year, model and make.
Furthermore, don’t forget to write down the registration information as well as the license plate number.
Aside from the car’s information, you may also want to get the driver’s name, their address and phone number for further communication if need be. It doesn’t stop there, note down the insurance company name and the policy number to prove the insurance card.
Take Photos of the Entire Scene
For clarity, if you have access to a smartphone, you can take photos of the entire scene. You can then use submit your clams using email or other apps.
In the photo, make sure you capture the damages on the car and any other property. Also, make sure it’s possible to see the positions of both cars.
File a Car Accident Claim
This is the final process and your insurance agent will walk you through every step. If they aren’t available, you can visit their website for a rundown of their processes so you can start as soon as possible.
Remember the details you took down earlier? This is what you’ll use during this process. If you feel overwhelmed, you can contact a personal injury lawyer to help you through the process.
The accident scene is a busy and confused one. Thus, it’s important to always remain calm in order to understand the events. Remember, chances are you neither know the other party nor their insurance type. Hence, it’s important to abide by the facts to protect yourself.