Car accidents are scary, often traumatizing, events. Even after a small incident, you might feel overwhelmed and at a complete loss for how to continue. What do you do first?
Do you know how you would respond in a car accident situation? Were you in a car accident and are currently unsure how to proceed?
Take a deep breath, and then keep reading. Today, learn what to do after a car accident in this simple, step-by-step guide. Covering the key things that you should work through after an accident, this guide will help you to find your feet and keep things moving.
Step 1: Analyze The Scene
The first thing you want to do immediately following an accident is to check if everyone is safe. Exit your vehicle if possible, and turn on your emergency flashers. Call 911 right away if the incident is more than a minor fender bender so that emergency vehicles can get there quickly.
If you have flares, set these up so that other drivers can safely move around the crash. Turn on your hazard lights if possible.
Anyone injured at the scene should not be moved unless they are in danger by remaining in their vehicle or where they are located. Moving an injured individual could cause more harm, so get on the phone with 911 and follow their instructions to secure the scene until help arrives.
Step 2: Document The Scene
Once you have done your part to ensure that everyone is safe and that help is on the way, you will want to take a step back and begin to document the scene.
Here are some things that you should be doing to make sure you have the information needed to file an insurance claim:
- Take pictures of the vehicles before they are moved if possible
- Take photos of the scene of the incident
- Move the vehicles after photos are taken unless it is unsafe to do so
- Do not admit fault to the other party; express concern with admitting guilt
- Exchange contact info with other drivers there, including eyewitnesses
- Make sure to get their name, address, phone number, insurance information, driver’s license info, and car information
- If cops are present, request the accident report number
- Take down the cops’ names and badge numbers as well
- Document any medical assistance that is provided to you at the scene
You will likely gather more information than you need, but it is always better to have more information rather than not enough. The goal of collecting this information is to prove exactly what happened in case you or another driver decides to pursue legal action following the incident.
Step 3: Call Your Car Insurance Company
You will want to call your insurance company to report the accident as soon as possible. Preferably, you will be the first one to report the incident.
You should call and report the incident even if the accident was minor or caused no apparent damages. This is just in case another party reports damages later on or if something comes up on your end after the fact. Not all consequences of an accident are immediately apparent. You want all accidents to be documented just in case.
When calling, give your car insurance company as many details of the accident as possible to start the claim process. They may inform you that they will be sending out insurance adjusted to do further assessment of the accident scene, and they may have a claims specialist contact you for more information.
Be cooperative and provide as much information as possible.
Step 4: Document Everything
As you move on from here, you’ll likely be doing the following:
- Seeing a doctor for any injuries sustained from the accident.
- Getting estimates done on your car for repairs.
- Talking with police about any violations or the accident report.
Working through these things can be overwhelming, but it is all part of the process. Make sure that you document absolutely everything that happens throughout this. Keeping a journal which details what happens each day while also making copies of everything is a great idea.
Documentation may be necessary for proving your claim, getting the reimbursements you deserve, or otherwise handling the repercussions of the accident. The more you have on record, the better the outcome is likely to be.
Don’t be afraid to contact a qualified car accident lawyer if you feel that you cannot handle everything on your own. They will advise you on how to proceed, what you should do next, and what will be in your best interests. They also might be able to answer questions you have, like how long does a fender bender stay on your record if it wasn’t your fault?
You Can Handle This
It can be hard to know what to do after a car wreck, especially if you have never been involved in an accident before. Hopefully, today’s guide has shown you what you can do to make the entire process more manageable.
Remember that you can always ask for help. If you feel lost or overwhelmed, call your insurance company and ask them to guide you on the next steps. You can also request a friend or family member to get involved with helping you to work things out.
This can be particularly helpful if you were injured in the accident and have more important things, like your health, to focus on.
–Emila Smith
