A motor vehicle crash can be a stressful and overwhelming experience.
From a minor fender bender to a more serious collision, knowing what to do immediately after the crash can protect your safety, help with insurance claims, ensure your legal rights are preserved, and make the recovery process smoother.
Check for Injuries
Your first priority after an accident is to check for injuries. Check yourself and any passengers for pain, bleeding, or difficulty moving. If anyone’s injured, call 911 immediately. Even if the injuries seem minor, it’s still important to seek medical attention.
Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away but can worsen over time.
If you are unhurt and able to move, check on the other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians involved in the accident. Offer help if needed but avoid moving anyone with a serious injury unless they are in immediate danger.
Move to a Safe Location
If the accident is minor and there aren’t any serious injuries, move your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent the risk of another accident. Turn your hazard lights on to alert other drivers. In the case of a more severe accident and injuries, leave the vehicles where they are and wait for emergency responders.
Call the Police
In many cases, calling the police is necessary, even if the accident seems minor. Having a police report provides an official record of the accident. This can be important evidence when you file a claim with insurance companies or if any legal issues arise later. When the officers arrive, provide accurate details but avoid admitting fault. Let them assess the scene and document their findings.
If the police do not come to the scene, you may need to file a report yourself at a local law enforcement office, especially if your state requires accident reports for certain types of crashes.
Exchange Information
Gather and exchange important information with the other driver, including:
- Name, phone number, and address
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- The name of their insurance company and policy number
If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information. Their statements may help clarify what happened if there are disputes later.
Document the Scene
Taking photos and videos of the accident scene can provide valuable evidence for insurance claims and legal cases. Capture:
- Damage to all vehicles involved
- Road conditions, traffic signs, and signals
- Skid marks or debris
- Injuries, if visible
- The overall accident scene from multiple angles
If possible, write down details about the accident while they are fresh in your memory. Include the time, location, weather conditions, and what led up to the crash.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You should report your accident to your insurance company as quickly as possible. Provide them with the details of the crash but stick to the facts. Avoid speculating about who was at fault, as insurance adjusters will conduct their own investigation.
Be prepared to provide a copy of the police report and any documentation you collected.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel injured right away, seeing a doctor after an accident is a good idea. Some injuries take hours or days to appear. A medical evaluation can identify any hidden injuries and provide documentation if you need to make a claim for medical expenses.
Follow Up on Insurance and Repairs
Once the insurance claim is in progress, regularly follow up to check on its status. If your vehicle needs repairs, get estimates from reputable body shops. If your car is undrivable, ask about rental car coverage under your insurance policy.
Consider Legal Assistance
If the accident resulted in serious injuries or significant damage, or there were disputes over who’s at fault, consulting with a qualified personal injury lawyer can be a critical step. A car accident attorney can help protect your rights, handle negotiations with insurance companies, and make sure that you get fair compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and any other damages.
The US Department of Transportation reports that more than 40,000 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2023, and millions more were injured, many permanently.
At Wayne Parsons Law Office, we understand that a car accident can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps afterward can be vital in protecting your health, finances, and legal rights. By staying calm and following these steps, you deal with the situation more effectively and ensure a smoother recovery process.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, our experienced legal professionals can help you seek justice and maximum compensation.