Every year, 20 to 50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries from car accidents. Because they’re so common, it is nearly inevitable that you will run into a fender bender one day.
You may be lucky enough to walk away unhurt. But there’s still an opportunity that your car will be damaged. So it is a good idea to be prepared and know what to do after a car accident
Here are 5 important steps you need to take.
Assess the Situation
Check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 instantly.
Then, check the condition of your vehicle. If possible, move it to the side so it is out of the way of traffic. Turn on your emergency lights to let cars know a vehicle is stopping in front of them.
Document the Scene
Most likely, you’ll have to file an insurance claim. This means you need all the evidence you can get.
Take photos (and video) of the road, in addition to every car involved. Be sure to get close-ups of the damage on each vehicle.
If people are injured, also take pictures of any bruises, cuts, etc. The more evidence, the better.
Information exchange
Exchange information with all drivers and witnesses. The latter can be useful if you need testimony about what happened.
You should get not only their full name, but also their phone number, address, driver’s license, license plate number, and auto insurance information.
Submit an Insurance Claim
Call your auto insurance company to let them know you were in an accident. Give all of them the details and file a claim.
When your claim is processed, you must pay the deductible. After that, your insurance provider will provide you with funds to repair your vehicle.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer
Not all car accident cases will be opened and closed. This is particularly true if the other side is at war and/or not cooperating. Even if it does, it is possible that your insurance company lowered the amount distributed to you.
An experienced lawyer (such as one of Sweet Lawyer) can be your voice. The world of law can be difficult to navigate, particularly if you’re dealing with emotional or physical trauma from the accident.
A car accident lawyer can file all the paperwork and be your voice so you do not add to the stress.
Know What to Do After a Car Accident
Car accidents can be dire, and right now, you are possibly frozen and do not know what to do. But now that you have learned about the key steps to take afterward, you’ll have the ability to handle your car accident smoothly.
Hopefully, you will not must put this knowledge to the test. But if you do, then you will be grateful that you learned this information beforehand!
If you want to learn more about legal matters, keep reading our blog page.
