In the United States, over six million car accidents happen every year. Thankfully, most of them only involve property damage – damage to the vehicle itself, as opposed to the driver of the vehicle. However, one in three accidents do involve injuries to the drivers or passengers, and out of that number, two of every ten accidents lead to fatal injuries. If you get involved in a car accident, there are specific things that you should do in order to protect your interests, as well as yourself. In this article, you will be able to read about the things that you should do if you ever get in a car accident. Let’s take a look.
STOP!
You should keep in mind that you should never drive away from the scene of the accident, even if it is a minor one. Driving away can make you seem guilty and later on, you could be considered responsible for causing the accident even if it was not your fault.
Protect the scene
You should definitely try and prevent a pile-up or any additional accidents by setting up flares or keeping your flashers on. This will allow other drivers to notice that something is wrong from the distance, hence, they will be able to maneuver through traffic. Also, if it is dark and your lights do not work because of the accident, you should have a flashlight or your mobile phone to keep you safe while you are waiting in your car or on the side of the road.
Call the police
Even if no one was seriously injured, it is necessary to call the police. You might need a police report to file a claim with the insurance company, even if it just for claiming the damage to your vehicle. The cars that were involved should remain where they are.
Make an accurate record
When the officers arrive, make sure that you tell them exactly what happened. If you do not remember or know specific things, tell that to the officer. If you are asked if you sustained any injuries, you should say that you do not know, since the injuries and pain after a car accident can occur hours after the accident happened. You should make sure that the statements that other people gave are accurate as well.
Take pictures
If you happen to have your smartphone or camera with you, make sure that you should take pictures of the vehicle and scene. If you have visible injuries, photograph them as well.
Exchange information
Usually, the police officer will obtain the information you might need. However, according to the experts from Baumgartner Lawyers, if the police did not respond to the accident, you should get the name, number, address of all people involved, as well as information about their insurance. This is quite important if you need to give the information to your lawyer later on.
Seek medical attention
As mentioned before, injuries from a car accident can sometimes appear later on. Unless you are 100 percent sure that you were not injured, you should seek medical attention at the local E.
Protect your rights
One of the most important things that you can do after an accident is to consult your lawyer. They can help you protect your rights and make sure that evidence is not displaced or destroyed. Usually, the insurance company will want a statement right after the accident, hence, it is important for you to receive legal advice before providing it.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you will never get in a car accident, but if you do, keep these tips in mind. They can help you to stay safe while waiting for the police, as well as protect your rights.
