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Involved In A Car Accident? Here Are The Things You Should Do Right Away

Oct 24, 2020

Car accidents are never a fun experience. Whether you've just been in a small fender bender or a serious wreck, you'll feel the consequences. One thing that's common for most car accidents is the chaos that comes right after. 

Depending on the severity of the crash, you might be extremely disoriented. Here are some of the things you should try and do right away in order to ensure your own safety as well as the safety of everyone else involved. 

Assess your Situation and Check for Injuries

Your health and the health of your passengers should be the very first thing on your mind following a car accident. Don't hesitate to check yourself or anyone else in the car for injuries even if you've been in a minor accident. Millions of people get injured in car accidents all over the world every year. Some of those injuries may appear superficial, only to turn into more serious conditions down the line. 

Check yourself for injuries and check to see how your passengers are doing. If everyone is alright, you need to make sure they stay that way. 

Move to Safety

Highways are no place to hang around, even in an accident. Depending on the conditions and time of day, there is a good chance that traffic won't see your wrecked car sitting in the middle of the road. If you've assessed that you and anyone who's with you in the car are fine, seek safety. 

What does this mean? If your car is still working, try to move it out of traffic onto a shoulder, a side street, or a nearby driveway. In case your car is disabled and in the middle of a busy highway, leave the car and get behind the guard rail and call for help. 

Be Civil with the Other Party

No matter who's at fault, try not to let your emotions get the better of you. The other party has also just been in an accident and is probably shaken just like you. Exchange information and get their details. You don't need to talk to them if you don't want to. That being said, getting their details is imperative. 

Sometimes the injuries sustained in a car accident aren't obvious at the time of the accident. Knowing the other party's information can be key if you decide to seek legal compensation for your injuries. The professionals from this site state that sometimes it takes a civil suit to get compensation. In most cases, exchanging information happens without any issues but that's not always the case. 

Document as Much of the Scene as you Can 

It's no secret that people aren't always truthful after a car accident, especially if they're at fault. That's why we're seeing more and more drivers opting to get a dashcam. If you don't have one of these cameras in your car, make sure to document as much of the scene as possible. Naturally, don't put yourself in danger in the process. Take pictures of your car, the other party's car and any other detail you might find interesting. Additionally, take photos of their documents and insurance information. 

What if the Other Party Left the Scene? 

Hit and runs are getting more and more common these days. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do in such instances other than seeking out witnesses who might have caught the other driver's tags. 

As hard as it might be at the moment, try and memorize the other person's license plate. Even better, try to snap a photo of the plate and preferably the driver as well. If you can get a positive ID on the driver, there is very little chance of them getting away with it. 

Arm Yourself with Patience

When your accident gets processed appropriately by police and you get sent home, the real fun starts. Insurance companies have procedures and protocols they have to follow when it comes to car accidents. Needless to say, these procedures take time. 

If your vehicle is totaled or you've suffered serious injuries, you might find yourself in a stalemate with your own insurance carrier. It's not unheard of for people to wait for months for their insurance to finish processing the claim. Because of that, it's absolutely imperative that you arm yourself with patience and prepare for anything. 

Speaking of being prepared for anything, your accident might get an epilogue in court. Whether the other party was uninsured or you're seeking compensation for medical bills your insurance won't cover, going to court might be your only option. You have to be prepared for that possibility as well. When all of the steps listed above are followed, you stand a chance of getting what you're owed for after the accident. In this way, you get to recover your losses or any possible injuries from the said incident.