Did you know that there’s over 6 million car accidents in the USA every year? That’s a lot of accidents! Sometimes, accidents can happen to you and they aren’t always your fault. No matter how carefully you usually drive, it’s so important to know what action to take just in case.
Stop the Car and Show Your Hazards
The first thing to do is stop the car. Even if the accident is minor, you must stop the car. Show your hazards so that other drivers know there has been an accident.
Call the Police and Ambulance
Always call the police to a scene such as this, and an ambulance if you or anybody else is hurt. This will depend on how serious the accident is. If it’s minor you still need to call the police, but you can probably give the ambulance a miss.
Tell the Police What You Know
Give the police all of the details once you get there. Don’t guess or assume things, make sure you only give them the facts to the best of your abilities. Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know something if you genuinely don’t know. It’s always better to be honest than to tell white lies to make it sound better.
Take Pictures of the Scene
If you feel as if you’re going to make a case against the other driver, you’ll need to take pictures of the scene. You can do this with a camera or a camera phone, whatever you have on you at the time. The more detailed the pictures, the better your case will be. Don’t move anything, just make sure document the accident exactly as it happened. Take pictures of injuries, damage, and the scene.
Note Down all Information
Get as much information as you can from the other driver, passengers, and witnesses. They may be able to assist the police and your case. It will also help when you give this information to an experienced car accident lawyer, as they’ll be able to gather information thoroughly.
Report the Accident
If you’re making a case against the other driver, you’ll need to report the accident to your insurance company ASAP. Find out if you have something called medpay coverage too, which may help you pay for your medical bills regarding the accident. Make sure you know your rights after being injured.
Keep a File
Keep a file of all goings on regarding to the accident. This way, you can make a better case. Make sure you document everything and anything that might be relevant to the case. Something you think may not help that much might actually be a huge help!
Make sure you do these things as soon as you possibly can after an accident has taken place. The sooner, the better. Be totally honest about all of the information and you’ll have a better chance of winning your case. Drive safely, and you may not have to bother with any of this at all.