Getting into a car accident is one of
the scariest things that can happen to anyone. Regardless of who hit who, the
extent of damage, or the location, an auto accident can be expensive--and
potentially cause injury. Whether you’re an experienced driver or just bought
your first car, a car accident is a big deal. Hopefully, there are no injuries,
and the only thing that’s been hurt is your pride or anger.
Immediately
Following the Accident:
The number one thing to do following any
accident--either as the driver, passenger, or an observer--is to make sure that
no one is injured. If someone is, or you’re worried that that is the case,
immediately call 911 and make sure that an ambulance is on the way.
After ascertaining that no one is hurt
(or that the ambulance is en route), assess whether or not the cars involved
are operational and can be moved out of the way. If they can, make sure to
remove the cars from the road and set up flares or hazards to warn other
motorists. Once the people and vehicles are safely removed, you can begin the
more mundane parts of the accident reporting.
What
You Should and Shouldn’t Do:
- Never
leave the scene. Regardless of who was hit, it’s important to make sure
that you’re on site, as leaving can be construed as leaving the scene of a
crime. Being present also ensures the easiest passage of information
between the drivers, the police, and observers.
- Don’t
get so flustered that you forget to protect yourself with information. Always document all parts of the crash.
It never hurts to have too much information, and taking photos--that can
be timestamped--of the damage to any car, will make it easier to explain
what happened at a later date.
- Don’t
let other parties involved talk you out of contacting the police. Having
an accident report filed can ease the legal side of things, and can be
helpful if there is tension between the people involved in the accident.
Often, the police can also make the interaction between the insurance
companies easier and keep everything on file.
- Never
forget to contact your insurance company, if necessary, or look at your
insurance card to determine what your coverage entails. Also, be sure to
get the insurance details of any other parties involved in the crash.
- Don’t
try to navigate the legalities of the crash alone. Whenever you’re not
sure--or if you have any questions--you can always contact a lawyer for
more details, and to ensure the best possible outcome. Some personal
injury lawyers, like those at Furniss Law Firm,
can help you with the legal aspects of an accident.
Don’t
Forget:
No matter what happens, it’s always key
to make sure that everyone is safe, first. Afterwards, don’t forget that it’s key not toadmit fault at the accident. Regardless
of how you feel, make sure that you file your accident report based on the
facts, and work out the fault aspect later, as admitting it right off the bat
can increase your liability dramatically.
Posts
