A Checklist Of What To Do After A Car Accident
As difficult and taxing as it might be, it is essential to act quickly after a car accident if you want to ensure the safety of everyone on board, get your insurance claims process started, and take legal action, if necessary. Below, we have prepared a checklist of what to do after a car accident to help you out.
Check for Personal Injuries
Injured? Call 911 or engage the help of someone else to do so. If you are seriously injured, it is best to refrain from moving and wait for emergency personnel to arrive. Sometimes, not all serious injuries are visible, so you want to be careful even if you do not see anything wrong with you. If something feels wrong, wait for the experts instead of trying to handle it yourself.
Check on Your Passengers
If you are physically able, check on the well-being of your passengers. If anyone has been injured, contact emergency services, or ask a bystander to help if you are incapable of doing so.
Get to Safety
If you are able, move yourself and your passengers to the sidewalk or the side of the road. If your car is safe to drive, you might also want to pull it to the side of the road to avoid being a hazard to other road users. If it does not seem safe to do any of those things, leave your car where it is and get yourself – and your passengers – to safety.
Call 911
No matter how severe you think the accident is, it is important to call 911. It might even be legally required in some states. If you do not think it is safe to be with the police alone for whatever reason, you might want to engage the help of witnesses to accompany you when the police arrive. If the police are unable to show up at the scene of the accident, you will need to head down to the nearest police station and file a report.
Exchange Information
You will want to exchange the following information with the other parties involved in the accident:
- Full name and contact information
- Driver’s license and license plate number
- Location of accident
- Insurance company and policy number
- Type, color, and model of vehicle
It would be prudent for you to refrain from establishing or discussing fault at the scene of the accident itself.
Document the Accident
You will want to take pictures of the accident, identify the officers at the scene (name and badge number), and obtain a copy of the accident report. Talking to any witnesses and getting their names and contact information is necessary.
Notify Your Insurer
You will want to notify your insurance provider as soon as you are able. If you need legal aid while navigating the process, you might want to find out how a car accident lawyer can help and contact a California auto accident lawyer to help you out. Legal representation can help you either come to a settlement if the other parties involved want to dispute or defend you in court.