(Newswire.net — October 12, 2022) — At some point or another, almost everyone who drives a car will probably get into an accident. Car accidents are at best a hassle, and the worst car accidents can cause serious injuries or death. If you’ve been in a car accident before, you know how stressful it is, both during and after the accident. Whether it’s a minor fender bender, a Sideswipe accident, or a head-on collision, any car accident can cause damage or injuries. Whether you’ve been in an accident before or not, it’s a good idea to review the steps you should take in case you get into an accident. Sometimes in the chaos of the moment, you might overlook something important or make a poor decision so it’s best to prepare ahead of time. Here are four things you should do if you’re in a car accident.
1. Check if anyone is hurt
The number one concern when a car accident occurs is whether or not anyone got hurt. Before anything else, check if your passengers and the people in the other car are okay or if they’ve suffered an injury. Call 911 if someone is hurt, and try to move to a safe place to avoid being hit by other vehicles. If you and your passengers don’t have any apparent injuries, you should still seek medical attention as soon as possible. Symptoms of spinal damage or a concussion might not appear until later on, but they need to be treated. Even if no one is hurt, it’s still important to call the police and in some places, it’s required by law. You’ll want an official report for your insurance company, even if the damage is minor.
2. Exchange information with the other driver
Once you’re in a safe place and have made sure everyone’s okay, you need to exchange information with the other driver involved. If you’re afraid that the other driver hit you purposefully or because of road rage, it might be best to wait until the police arrive to engage with them.
If you feel safe talking with the other driver before the police arrive, avoid discussing who was at fault or how much insurance coverage you have. Even apologizing might sound like an admission of guilt. Your insurance company will gather the facts and decide who was at fault for the accident.
Also, if the other driver or the police ask if you or your passengers were hurt, it’s best to say you’re not sure or that you will need to see a doctor before determining what injuries you’ve suffered. Many times you won’t be able to tell immediately whether or not you’ve been injured. You or your passengers might start to feel the pain of whiplash or other injuries a day or two after the accident. See a doctor find out the extent of the injuries suffered, before making any statements to the other party, the police, or your insurance company.
When exchanging information with the other driver, you should get their name, phone number, and address, as well as those of the passengers. You should also ask to see their insurance card. Also, the police should give you a police report number which you should keep to obtain a report later or share with your insurance company.
3. Take pictures
It’s important to document the accident so that you have proof of what happened and no one can make any false claims. Take a picture of both cars and the damage they sustained from different angles. You might also take pictures of the car’s license plate, the other driver’s insurance card, the surroundings affected by the accident, and the interiors of the cars. All of these can be used by insurance companies to determine who was at fault and the extent of the damage caused.
4. File a claim
After you’ve collected all the information you need, you want to contact your insurance as soon as possible. They can help you with getting a tow truck, covering medical expenses, and deciding who was at fault. Once you’ve given them all the information they need and your claim is processed, you may receive money for repairs or replacing your car.
Some people are hesitant to file a claim with their insurance company since they don’t want their rates to go up. But it’s not a good idea to avoid informing your insurance company. The other party involved in the accident might make a claim without you knowing and your insurance company will be contacted.
Car accidents are stressful and scary for everyone involved. It’s difficult to make the right decisions when under pressure and after experiencing something traumatic. That’s why it’s important to have a plan and know all the steps you need to take if you’re ever in an accident. Preparation will help you deal with the situation calmly. Follow the steps outlined in this article if you’re in an accident.