Owning a car is certainly a wonderful privilege. Unfortunately, there is always that unfortunate chance that an accident will take place.
With car accidents happening every 60 seconds worldwide, it’s reasonable to be concerned about a potential accident. The reality is you are at risk of being in an accident every time you get behind the wheel.
If you are wondering what to do after a car accident, these are the eight immediate steps to take.
What to Do After a Car Accident
These eight steps regarding auto accidents will involve interacting with everyone involved, assessing the damage, and being ready to deal with legal matters.
Step 1: Make Sure No One Is Injured
No matter whose fault it was, everyone’s safety is the most important priority. See if anyone is injured, and in case anything seems serious, call 911. Regardless of anything, you want the police there immediately.
Step 2: Assess the Damage
Assessing the damage should be your next step so you can determine if it’s safe to move the car without assistance. It’s also going to prove to be important when dealing with insurance or potential court information. Take photos of the accident, the vehicles involved, the location, and the surrounding debris.
Don’t move your car or have them towed until the photos are taken.
Step 3: Get the Information For Everyone Involved
You will need phone numbers, addresses, insurance information, and license plate numbers for everyone involved in the accident. This information will be important for your insurance company and for potential legal meetings.
Step 4: Don’t Make Settlements at the Scene
After the trauma of an accident, it’s easy to just want to settle and move on. However, it’s not so simple to make a full damage assessment in the heat of the moment. A full assessment will need to be done through your insurance company as well as through a body shop assessment.
Step 5: Get Medical Attention
Even if you can’t see anything beyond bruises, you may have sustained an internal injury in the accident. A medical professional will examine you in case there is any internal bleeding. Even if it seems unlikely, you’re better off safe than sorry.
Step 6: Call Your Insurance Company
You should try to be the first one to report the accident. But even if you aren’t, you should still inform them with all the details of what happened. If you end up in court, you’ll need your insurance company to back you up.
Step 7: Get The Vehicle to a Body Shop
You are going to want the damage fully assessed. You’ll need to know the cost of repairs, or for that matter, if the vehicle is beyond repair. This information is vital when it comes to insurance and legal fees.
Step 8: Contact a Lawyer
Even if the case doesn’t seem like it will go to court, you’ll want a lawyer to cover your legal needs. If the accident wasn’t your fault, they can also help you get all the compensation you’re entitled to, which some insurance companies don’t want to provide.
Also, if you have sustained an injury, a lawyer will be needed when you need help ensuring that you get your medical fees covered.
More “How To” and “What To Do” Guides
Hopefully, you’ll never have to deal with this situation. However, it is a possibility, so it is good to know what to do after a car accident.
For more guides on various different matters, visit our How To section.
