Important Things to DO After a Car Accident
Car accidents are very common today and they lead to serious injuries and damages. There is no doubt that such injuries and damages are what no one would want to go through. Without first jumping to who is at fault, personal injuries are the priority here as they can lead to more serious complications. This is why people should know the actions to take in the event of a car accident to minimize the stress and fears. Every step in the list of actions to take matters and should be taken seriously. You shouldn’t rush to figuring out who is at fault before you think of your state of health. Get to learn more about this before you get behind the wheel.
In the event that an accident occurs, you should start with checking on your safety and that of the other passengers. Ensure that you focus on attending to safety and call the police. Even if it’s a minor scratch, notify the police about this and get everyone to safety. Informing the police will help you out even when proceeding to identifying who is at fault. Ensure also that an ambulance has been sent for any injuries or health concerns.
When you have ascertained the safety of all passengers and your safety, move your car to a safer place if you are able to. These safer places are parking lots, on the grass away from the road or onto a median. Should your injuries be serious, ask a driver on the road to help you out. This is important to avoid traffic on the road and also to ensure your safety and that of the other driver. At this time, the police may be at the spot and they will determine who is at fault by themselves. These officers are very instrumental at this point if it’s unclear who caused the accident.
It’s important to exchange details with the other driver before leaving the scene. Ensure that you have full names, insurance information, vehicle make and model, location, and license plate numbers among other details. With this information, you will be able to file insurance claims without much troubles. If other drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians are willing, you should also get their contacts. These eye witnesses can help you a lot should there be a court case you will have to answer as they can back your evidence. Disputes are best faced with more evidence to ensure that you won’t have to pay for what you didn’t do. If there is an issue with who is at fault, eye witnesses can tell what happened and back you up.
Ensure that you document the accident well including taking videos and pictures. You should also call the insurance company and file a claim as soon as you can.