In a Car Accident? Do These 3 Things Immediately
Anyone who’s ever been in a car accident can tell you how disorienting it can be. Between you, the other victims, and the rubberneckers driving past you, it’s easy to get caught up in the flood of emotions and hormones in the aftermath. However, knowing a few steps to take in advance can help streamline the process immediately following a car accident.
Today, we’re going to talk about three of our top suggestions for what to do following a car accident. Read on to learn more.
1. Check for Injuries
The first thing you should absolutely do following a car accident is to check for injuries, both on yourself and the other people involved. As for the cars themselves, those can wait; you can always deal with insurance companies later on when things have calmed a bit. Everyone’s physical safety comes first when making sense of a car accident.
If somebody’s injuries are serious, immediately call 911 for an ambulance and a police officer to come survey the scene. Even if no one has sustained any serious injuries, it’s still wise to call a police officer, as they can help you file a police report and make sure all the proper information gets documented.
2. Move to Safety
What makes car accidents so dangerous is not necessarily the wreck itself, but the steady, unceasing flow of traffic that continues as you analyze the accident scene. This is why it’s crucial to move to a safer area--like the side of the road or the sidewalk--as soon as you can after a car accident.
However, other drivers might not be so sure what’s happening if they suddenly see a couple cars stopped in the middle of the road. If you want to signal to other drivers to drive around the cars involved in the accident, make sure each car switches on their hazard lights. If you have access to flares, use those, too; the more you can indicate to other drivers that you’re dealing with an accident scene, the safer everyone will be.
3. Get the Pertinent Information
After you’ve double-checked that everyone is okay, set up flares, switched on blinkers, and moved everyone off the road, start exchanging information. You’ll want to make sure that everyone gets each other’s name, phone number, license plate number, driver’s license information, and insurance information for police report and insurance coverage purposes. If anyone witnessed the accident, make sure to get their information, too.
Don’t forget to snap some photos of the damages as well. Many car insurance companies require photo evidence when filing a claim, so make sure you take pictures of the cars and their license plates. If you’re not sure what other information you should take down in the aftermath of a car accident, check with the police officer assisting you at the scene to see if you’re missing anything.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in the Miami-Dade area, the Law Office of William C. Robinson can help you get the restitution you deserve. Call today to schedule a free pre-consultation.
