There are over 2.35 million Americans that are injured or disabled every year in car accidents. Over the course of an average lifespan, a person can be involved in about 3 to 4 accidents. This is why it is important that you know the steps to take if you are ever in an accident. These crucial steps following a car wreck can impact the claim process down the road.
Being in a car accident is often completely unexpected and can be extremely overwhelming. If you know what steps to take, it can make the claim process easier and save your time and money in the long run.
Steps To Take After a Car Accident
If you ever find yourself in a car accident, here are the steps that you should take.
- Pull Over if Able, Stay at the Scene, and Check If Anyone Needs Medical Assistance
Most likely, you are going to be in shock after an accident occurs. Your adrenaline is going to be pumping and your train of thought may be all over the place. After an accident, if you are able, you should pull over to the side of the road to avoid any other accidents. From there, take a second together thoughts and assess the situation. If you are able, you should get out of your vehicle and check to see if anyone else needs medical assistance. It is important that you stay at the scene of the accident, as in many states, it can be considered a crime to leave without informing the police.
- Call the Police
It is important that you contact the police and establish the initial contact. It allows you to state the facts of what happened in your own words as opposed to fighting against what the other person is saying. As stated before, it can be considered a crime to leave the scene of an accident without informing the police that one happened.
- Gather Evidence
If no one is seriously injured, it is important that you limit communication with the other driver. You should exchange information and then start gathering all the evidence that you can. You should take pictures of both vehicles and take pictures of any injuries, as these can be invaluable later on. If possible, write down how you remember the accident taking place.
- Go To Your Doctor
If you or the other person is seriously injured, the first thing you should do is seek medical treatment. However, if no one is seriously injured, you should still follow up with your doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries from car accidents are not apparent until a few days after the collision. It is better to ensure that you are okay than you just assume everything is fine.
If you or a loved one have been in an accident, then we suggest contacting a car accident lawyer, like our friend at Greenspan & Greenspan P. C for more information about what your next steps should be.