What To Do After A Car Accident

Do you know what to do in the event of a car accident? It is common for people to think that they will never be involved in an accident, which means that many do not know what steps to take if they are ever involved in one. It is important that you know what steps to take to ensure your safety, for legal purposes, and to determine what happens next. Even a minor bumper collision at a low speed can be serious, so you need to know what to do. Here are the main steps involved if you ever find yourself involved in an accident.

Stop & Move To Safety

First, you are legally required to stop. You should move your car to the side of the road, if possible, to prevent traffic disruption. Then switch off the engine and turn your hazard lights on. You should then check passengers in your car for injuries as well as check yourself over. Remember that some injuries do not present themselves straight away, so you need to keep a close eye on people.

Call Emergency Services

If you, a passenger or anyone else is injured, then you should call the emergency services immediately. If you believe that there was foul play involved, such as driving under the influence or purposefully crashing, then you should call the police. You should also call the police if the accident has prevented traffic flow.

Exchange Information With Other Drivers

At this stage, you want to communicate with any other driver involved in the accident. Avoid placing or taking blame at this stage and simply check that they are ok. You should then exchange insurance information with the driver as well as write down their names, addresses and contact information.

Collect Evidence

It can be hard in the aftermath when you are likely to be shaken, but it is incredibly useful if you are able to collect evidence at this stage. You should write down exactly what happened as you remember it, as well as ask for the contact details of any witnesses. You should also take photos of the crash site, of any damage to the car and/or property and of any injuries. If you have a dash cam, the footage will be incredibly useful.

Notify Your Insurer

You will then need to notify your insurer and you might invalidate your cover if you fail to do so. Even if you do not plan on making a claim, you still need to let them know

Contact An Auto Accident Lawyer

If you are injured in the car accident and it was not your fault, then you should contact an auto accident lawyer. Car accidents have the potential to change lives and can be costly even if it is a minor collision. If the accident was the fault of another driver, you may not have to cover the damages. An auto accident lawyer can work on your behalf to seek compensation that will cover the costs incurred. This can also be helpful in terms of moving on from the accident.

These are the main steps to take after an accident – hopefully, it will never happen to you, but it is better to be prepared.