3 things you need to do after a car accident
As written for The Safe Driver.
Each year, there’s an average of 6 million car accidents in the United States alone. Although we never expect to be involved in one, accidents are just that, accidents. Sometimes, even the best drivers can’t prevent a car accident from happening.
You can control your own driving but you can’t control the other drivers on the road. What do you do when involved in a car wreck? Continue reading below.
Here’s our guide on all the steps you need to take directly after a motor vehicle collision.
1. Find Safety and Check For Injuries
The very first thing you need to do after a car accident is find safety. Don’t stay in your car in the middle of a busy intersection. Relocate your car to the nearest safest location. A side street, for example, is more ideal than the main road.
Next, check yourself and passengers for injuries. You might have an injury you’re unaware of due to an increase in your adrenaline. Once you’re safe, you can move to the next step.
2. Contact Local Authorities and Insurance
Now is the time to contact your local authorities. When the local authorities arrive, they’ll have paramedics with them. It’s important to contact local authorities because they can write out a report of the accident.
This report will mention if any tickets were written out and some basic details of the accident. You’ll need this report when filing a claim with your insurance company. Contact your car insurance and explain the accident to them.
Provide them with the other driver’s information as well. They’ll work with the other person’s insurance to determine fault. Don’t forget to take pictures of the scene and both vehicles for your insurance company to use when making this determination.
3. Hire an Accident Attorney
Once you’re safe, have received medical treatment, and have filed a claim, you can then hire an accident attorney. Hiring an attorney is sometimes crucial when dealing with car accidents. Your attorney will handle all of the legalities of your case while you can relax and focus on recovering.
When choosing the right attorney or lawyer for your case, be sure to do your research. You want to hire someone who has experience with auto accident injuries, such as Sweet Lawyers. Look at their reputation, determine how many other cases similar to yours they’ve won, and conduct an interview.
The best injury lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve without the stress.
Have You Recently Been Involved in a Car Accident?
If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident or are wanting to stay prepared, then keep this guide handy. Follow all of the helpful tips listed above to ensure your safety and your rights. We don’t plan to get into car accidents, but we can prepare for them!
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