Car accidents can be violent and sudden. If you are involved in one, you may have been caught completely off guard. However, despite how traumatic it can be, you must keep thinking rationally after an accident. If you don’t take the right actions to resolve the situation, it could all quickly mushroom out of control.
Call 9-1-1
If there is any question about the health of anyone involved in the accident, don’t be afraid to call 9-1-1 for immediate medical assistance. If you don’t act quickly enough, things could be made much worse when someone injured in the crash succumbs to their injuries and perishes. Keep in mind that serious internal injuries are not always apparent. Even injuries that do not break the skin can be life-threatening.
Call the Police
The police should also be called to the scene by you after any kind of accident. A police officer can act as an independent arbiter and authority figure to discern the truth of what occurred in the accident by examining both vehicles and interviewing witnesses. If you don’t have that police officer’s report, it may turn into your word against the other driver regarding what happened.
Call a Car Accident Attorney
Someone else you should contact is a car accident attorney. Some companies, like Gayheart & Willis P.C., know that this is especially the case if you were seriously injured in the accident and the other driver is at fault. While car insurance may be enough to cover losses to your car, it may not be able to pay for all of your other losses stemming from the accident. Things like pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life from a permanent disability are better compensated through a lawsuit or out-of-court settlement.
Call Your Insurance Agent
You should also make sure to exchange insurance information with the other driver and then immediately call your insurance company to report the accident. If you want your claim to be approved, you should do so immediately. Depending on the kind of coverage you have, things like car repair bills, medical repair bills, and damage done to others’ property can be paid for if your claim is approved.
A car accident may be traumatizing to live through. However, you must try to keep a clear head afterward. What you do next could help determine whether or not you’re able to resolve your case to your benefit. Make sure to take steps such as calling 9-1-1, the police, an attorney, and your insurance agent if needed. Doing so will help ensure that you avoid a worst-case scenario.
Author information: Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University and now writes articles about health, business, family, and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.
