Nobody gets on the road expecting an accident. But unfortunately, road accidents are all too common. If you’re ever unfortunate enough to be involved in a car accident, it’s important to know what to do afterward. The moments immediately following an accident can be hectic and chaotic, but it’s important to remain calm and follow the proper steps.
Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Shock is likely to be prevalent after being involved in an accident. Try and evaluate your surroundings and make sure it’s safe to exit your vehicle. Once certain that you’re out of immediate danger, check for injuries and assess the level of damage. Also make sure to check on your passengers, as well as the driver and occupants of the other vehicles involved.
Call The Police and Other Emergency Services
After making sure that everyone involved is safe and out of harm’s way, the next step is to call the police. Many states require that accidents involving personal injury, death, or property damage exceeding a certain amount be reported to the police. Even if your state doesn’t have this requirement, calling the police can be extremely important later on, especially if there’s a need to file a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim afterward.
Although It’s important to be honest with the police, stick to the facts of what you saw and avoid speculating about what may have caused the accident. Once the police have your statement, they will likely speak with any witnesses to get their side of the story. The police will then compile a report which can be useful later on.
Get Contact and Insurance Information from The Other Driver
After speaking with the police, you should ensure you obtain all insurance details from the other driver. It’s important to get this information even if the other driver appears to be at fault for the accident. You should also exchange license plate numbers with the other driver, and If there are any witnesses to the accident, make sure you have a way to reach them as well.
Document The Accident Scene and Contact Your Insurance Company
Ensure to get media footage of the scene, including all the vehicles involved, any visible damage, as well as skid marks on the road. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of any injuries sustained. Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information, the next step is to reach out to your insurance company. You should do this even if you don’t think you’re at fault for the accident. The insurance company will then send an adjuster, who will investigate the accident and determine who is liable. Contacting and hiring a car accident lawyer at Valiente Mott in Las Vegas is critical to ensure the insurance company caters to all damages covered under your policy.
Conclusion
While no one ever wants to be involved in an accident, it’s important to know what to do in such a situation. Following the right steps will help ensure that you’re able to properly deal with the aftermath of a car accident. This includes staying calm, assessing the situation, exchanging information with the other driver, and contacting the police and your insurance firm.
