Being involved in a car accident is a very frightening experience. Even a fender bender can result in a lot of stress and cost you a lot of money in higher insurance rates, car repairs, and lost time and work, but an accident on the freeway can be even more devastating.
Freeway accidents are often much worse than accidents on residential streets because of the higher rates of speed. A freeway accident should be handled in much the same way as any other car accident, but there are a few things you should do differently. Here’s what to do if you get hit while driving on the freeway.
Call 911 for Medical Aid and a Police Report
Calling 911 should be the first thing you do, no matter how minor or severe the accident. Having a record of calling the police will help if you end up in court or need to file an insurance claim. State laws require you call 911 if anyone is hurt or damage exceeds a certain amount.
Make Sure Everyone is Safe and Secure
In a freeway accident, you must make sure everyone is safe after the accident. Keeping everyone safe means moving your vehicle out of traffic if possible, turning on your hazard lights, and staying in your vehicle until police arrive. Pedestrians are often hit by oncoming traffic because they leave the safety of their vehicles to inspect the damage.
Call an Attorney
Calling a reputable and experienced auto accident attorney is something you should do to ensure your rights are protected. Don’t admit to any fault after an accident. You should contact an attorney if you feel the other driver was negligent in some way or is not insured.
Document Everything
You should document everything that happened before and after the accident. Use your phone to take pictures of the vehicle’s damage and accident location. Write down the names and phone numbers of witnesses and exchange driver’s license, registration, addresses, and phone numbers with the other party involved.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You do not have to contact your insurance company at the scene of the accident but you will need to contact them soon, especially if there were injuries.
The primary thing to keep in mind after a freeway accident is to stay calm. If you feel you were not at fault, contact an attorney as soon as possible and avoid making statements until after you have received legal counsel.
Author information: Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty.
