Being in a vehicular accident can be extremely painful, confusing, and highly stressful, whether or not you’ve been in an accident before. It can be tough to concentrate on what to do immediately after the accident, which is necessary for your well-being and the protection of your interests.
While some accidents involve vehicular or property damage only, an overwhelming majority of car accidents involve driver and passenger injuries and even death. According to an estimate, around 20% of all car accidents end up causing fatal injuries to the drivers and passengers.
If you are involved in such a collision, there are several crucial steps to take immediately following a car accident. Doing so can not only be lifesaving for you and your loved ones involved in the accident but also safeguard your interests for the near future.
Staying at the Scene
Do not leave the scene of the accident, regardless of its magnitude. Whether or not the fault for the accident lies with you, you need to stay there. People who flee the scene of an accident even if they did not cause it are perceived as guilty even if it was not their fault.
Checking for Safety
You should immediately check yourself and any passengers for injuries, visible or otherwise. Ensuring your safety right after an accident can be crucial and even save lives, depending on the severity of the accident and the injuries incurred. If the accident has left you or any passenger in a precarious position, you should try your best to help or call out for help if anyone is present nearby.
Calling the Police
One of the most crucial aspects of a post-accident procedure is to call the police or 911 and narrate the incident to the best of your abilities. It is essential to ask for medical help while you are on the call. Calling the police is necessary for any insurance claims you need to file after the accident, whether it is for personal injuries or damage to your car.
Maintaining a Record
After calling the police, make sure to maintain an accurate record of the scene of the accident. Try to commit to your memory the timeline of the events and take statements from fellow passengers. Try to take photos of any injuries or vehicular damage yourself or ask a bystander for assistance. Making an accurate record of the road and conditions is also necessary.
Exchanging Information
After you have created a record of the scene of the accident, you should go ahead and exchange the driving license and identity information. Identity information includes the name, phone number, and address of the driver. It is vital to ask for any insurance information for the other vehicle and to obtain contact information from any present witnesses. Exchanging information will prove useful when you think about filing an insurance claim in the future.
After following all the above steps, it is important to contact an attorney. With their help you will be in a better position to claim the legal compensation that you rightfully deserve and recover from your car accident injuries.
