What to do after a car accident

What to do after a car accident is a question you want to know the answer to if you or a loved one was involved in any type of auto accident.

Car accidents happen all the time and you should know what to do after it happens whether they are your fault or not your fault.

In this article, I will help you by sharing the top tips, steps, and checklists on what you should do after a car accident. They are steps when properly taken will help you protect yourself and have a stronger auto accident settlement claim.

Here are what to do after a car accident

Understanding and knowing what to do after a car accident that’s your fault or not is helpful whenever one gets into a car accident. Most people do know what to do after these car accidents which might cost them their case later.

Here are some tips:

1. Stop the car

After any type of accident, you should immediately stop the car, no matter how small the accident may appear. Fleeing from the accident makes you look guilty and may take away any chances for financial compensation.

This can get you trapped in a lawsuit against you in the future and a criminal hit-and-run charge.

2. Move to safety

A car accident spot can be a hazardous place even after the accident. There may be some further collisions with the others cars. The cars may also explode or catch fire.

So, the best thing to do is to light the safety flares if you have one, put your emergency lights on if it is working, and move to some safer place off the road, etc.

3. Call the police ( 911)

Next on the list of what to do when involved in an accident is to immediately call the police and seek medical help and call 911 immediately after the accident.

4. Check yourselves and your passengers (if any) for injuries

Now that you are in a safer area, and have also called for help, it’s time to look for your injuries.

If not severely injured you should check the condition of your passengers and also of the other driver.

5. Document the accident

Document and try to take note of every detail of the car accident as you will need to reference them for your accident case.

Take pictures of the wrecked cars from various angles.

Note the names, contacts, and addresses of your passengers. Note the exact time and the location of the accident spot.

Take the names and contacts of any eyewitnesses of the accident as well. Their statements can be precious for your case during insurance negotiation or court proceedings.

You should even note the name and batch number of the police officer who comes to examine the accident.

6. Exchange information

Also, take information about people in the other car. Take the information about their insurance policies as well.

The other driver may also ask for your name, address, and contact, which you shouldn’t have any problem giving.

7. Notify your insurer

Most insurance companies require you to report the accident immediately after it occurs, in order to make you eligible for any recovery.

8. Contact a car crash lawyer immediately

Call a personal injury law firm to speak with a car accident claim attorney as he or she can help you handle the situation properly.

Sometimes it might be best to contact a lawyer first to help guide you on how best to file a claim and deal with your insurance company.

An attorney can find those liable for the accident because of their negligence.

Avoid these actions after an accident

Part of knowing what to do is knowing what you shouldn’t do too.

Don’t do the following:

• Talk too much with the other party about the accident: You don’t have to discuss the accident with the other party. You need not talk about how you feel or whose fault it was. Only essential information.
• Be careful with the info given to the police officer: You need to be very careful while reporting to a police officer. You should think well before speaking about anything regarding the accident. If asked about your injuries, never say things like “I’m fine” or “I’ll be okay”. You should rather say that you are not sure. You should never admit that you had made any fault, even if you think so. These officers will write these down and insurance companies will see the police report and will likely use it against you.
• Giving a statement to your insurer: You should not make any statement before your insurance company without discussing it with your lawyer or they may take advantage of anything that you say.

So, now that you know the dos and don’ts after a car accident, you are in a better position to maximize your claim.

Discuss your case with an accident lawyer for FREE now!

As mentioned above knowing what to do after a car accident is very important as this will aid you when you file a lawsuit to get compensated, especially, when a significant accident injury is involved.

So now that you have the steps and checklist I hope that you are confident in knowing what to do and what not to do.

It is time to speak with an auto accident law firm to get a free consultation on your case and help with filing a claim.

Remember that car accident lawyers charge only if they take and win your case.

So don’t worry about the cost of paying just talk to one to see what your financial settlement options are.