Nobody expects to be in a car accident. They can happen in the blink of an eye, whether you are at fault or someone else. Every year, over 6 million people are killed or injured in car accidents in the United States. It is natural to feel anxious and upset when this happens to you but knowing what to do can help you stay calm and makes dealing with your insurance company much easier in the future.
Many people believe that if they follow traffic rules correctly, they will be safe. Although this may help to prevent you from causing an accident, it is only partially true because you cannot control the actions of others. It can be difficult for people to maintain control of the situation when everything happens so quickly. Because of how quickly a drunk driving accident, or any other type of accident, can occur through no fault of your own, we have created a brief guide to help you understand the correct steps to follow if such a situation were to ever take place.
- Physical security
Stay calm and in control of your emotions. This is the time to be as level-headed as possible to make quick and logical decisions when they are required.
- Vehicle hazard warning
Turn on your hazard lights right away. This is necessary so that other vehicles are aware that your vehicle has become a road hazard that they must avoid. This simple step will help you avoid future collisions.
- Human condition
Please ensure you and your passengers have not been seriously injured. When possible, check to see if the occupants of the other vehicles have been seriously injured. Seek emergency assistance immediately, if there has been an injury of any kind.
- Physical environment
Park all vehicles involved in the accident on the side of the road. Staying in the middle of traffic increases your chances of being hit by another vehicle or a truck accident. You and your passengers should remain out of the flow of traffic until help arrives.
- Capture details
When attempting to build a legal case, it is important to have more than just your word to rely on in court. The responsible party may deny liability for the accident and attempt to place blame on you. To avoid this, obtain the contact information of any witnesses who were at the scene of the accident and witnessed the event. Ask if they would be willing to testify or provide a written statement to the court in support of your case.
These details will be useful additions to your insurance claim and official police report. It is easy to pull out your phone and start taking pictures now. It is also a good idea to keep a pen and paper nearby for important notes and details to remember.
Details to be discussed with the other driver:
- Vehicle license plate
- Driver’s information (name, telephone number, address)
- A valid driver’s license
- Insurance information
Take pictures or record videos of the details you want to remember from the scene, to include:
- Photos of the entire vehicle (yours and the other party’s)
- Close-up of visible vehicle damage (yours and the other party’s)
- Physical marks in and around the scene of the accident, such as skid marks
- Road names and landmarks
- Save any video footage from a dashboard camera if you have one
- Note the date and time that the accident occurred and any other important details
- Introducing a claim
Call your insurance company as soon as possible, preferably at the scene of the accident. They will request:
- Your policy number or other information that can be used to identify you, such as your postal code and vehicle registration number
- The vehicle identification number of the vehicles involved
- Name, address, and phone number of the driver
- If you have the driver’s insurance information, you should provide it
- Engage the services of a law firm
If you are involved in a fatal car accident, you may want to hire a lawyer. As you can imagine, an accident can have long-term consequences that impact every aspect of your life because you may have sustained severe injuries. The majority of road accident victims are forced to miss work for extended periods of time to recover.
If you find yourself in a precarious situation after an accident, speaking with a car accident attorney is a wise decision because they are knowledgeable in the field of personal injury law. Although legal representation may seem expensive, which is why many people avoid going through the legal process, legal professionals can help you receive financial compensation to support yourself.
- Concentrate on your rehabilitation
We understand that being involved in an accident can ultimately turn your life upside down. You may want to get back to work and resume your normal routine, which is not ideal. You must allow yourself enough time to rest and recover. Even if you do not sustain serious physical injuries, this event, no matter how minor, is traumatic and may leave you with psychological issues such as anxiety and panic attacks.
Nobody wants to be involved in a serious car accident. We all hope it never happens to us or those close to us, but accidents are often unpredictable and unavoidable. Despite all the best efforts and precautions, when someone’s action causes death, whether accidental, intentional, or due to a car manufacturer defect, the deceased’s family members may be entitled to wrongful death compensation. Contact a San Antonio wrongful death attorney immediately if you or a loved one has been involved in a serious car accident resulting in injury, property damage, or death.
Accidents are sometimes tricky to avoid, no matter how cautiously you drive. Having this post-accident checklist in your car or bookmarked on your phone may help you when filing a claim.