You’ve just been in a car crash. If this is your first collision, you’re probably wondering what to do after a car accident. Whether it’s a fender-bender or more severe car wreck, you might be confused about what the next step is. Now, what do you do? Here are some easy steps for anyone to follow after they’ve been in an accident, brought to you by Buffalo injury attorney, Steve Boyd. Read on to learn what to do after you’ve been in a car accident.
Immediately Following the Collision
If you’ve never been in a car accident before, you probably don’t know what your next steps should be. Your adrenaline is pumping, your heart is racing, and your brain might be fuzzy. This isn’t even counting the possibility of you, a passenger, or the other party being injured.
Therefore, to protect yourself and make the best of a bad situation, you need to know what steps to take in the event of a car accident.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Being in a car accident is a traumatic experience you’ll likely remember for the rest of your life, regardless of severity. No matter how well you drive, you’re likely to get in an accident at some point in your life, or several. You can’t control the elements or the other drivers on the road.
In the unfortunate event that you find yourself involved in a car accident, the following list contains vital steps you need to take.
1. Stay Calm and Check Yourself for Injuries
First and most importantly, you need to keep a level head. If you lose your cool out of panic or anger, you’re likely to botch the rest of this process.
Next, you need to check yourself for injuries. If you’re injured or sustained some trauma to your head, it may be a better idea to wait for emergency services, rather than to get out and start taking care of business.
2. Call 911
If you can, call 911 immediately to report the car accident. Even if you’re not injured, other people might be and time may be of the essence. The sooner police and other emergency services arrive, the better.
3. Take Accurate Notes and Pictures
If you’re capable, it’s essential to take an accurate record of the car accident. Use your phone to take notes and photos of the scene. This will be important for your insurance company and attorney if it comes to that.
You need to take pictures of each car from all angles. You also need to take photos of any other car accident signs such as skid marks, knocked-over signs, etc.
4. Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Now, it’s time to exchange information with the other driver. Regardless of their attitude, do not allow yourself to react emotionally to them.
You need to get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all drivers and passengers. You also need to get the insurance card information from the other driver. Finally, if witnesses are present, it’s a good idea to get their name and phone number as well.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company
Next, you need to notify your insurance company of the accident. Depending on your coverage, they will cover any damages and health bills if necessary. They will probably want the pictures and notes from the car accident, as well as the police report if there is one.
6. Get Checked Out by a Doctor
Even if you don’t feel any symptoms immediately, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor to get checked out. Due to adrenaline and other emotions, people generally don’t notice any pain or stiffness from a crash until later.
Don’t report not having any injuries to your insurance company until after you’ve seen a doctor.
7. Hire an Attorney if Necessary
If it comes to it, you may need to hire an attorney to protect yourself or get the compensation you deserve based on the circumstances of the car accident. In this scenario, make sure you hire an attorney who specializes in car accident cases, like Steve Boyd. Our Buffalo law office is well versed in protecting clients from baseless accusations and other aggressive insurance tactics and will fight for our clients to get the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Don’t Waste Time
Whether you’re filing an insurance report, police report, or hiring an attorney, you can’t afford to waste time after a car accident. The longer you wait, the less likely things are to go your way.
If you need an attorney, act now! Contact us for a free consultation and see what we can do for you.