Even if you are a cautious driver who follows all the rules of the road, you could still be involved in a collision at any moment. That is why every driver should fully understand what they must do after an accident if they want to protect their health and finances.
Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
No matter what else takes place, it is always a good idea to ensure that everyone involved in the accident is safe. As long as you are comfortable doing so, your car should be pulled off to the side of the road so other vehicles don’t hit it. You can then check on the other drivers and passengers to see if an ambulance or the police need to be called.
Collect Information
As long as there are no serious injuries and everyone seems to feel okay, you should then begin the process of collecting as much information as possible. That information could be invaluable when it comes time to file an insurance claim or contact an attorney. Some of the information that you need to collect includes the names of everyone involved, insurance policy numbers for all drivers, photos of the scene, and the police report if the police were called.
Head to the Hospital
While it might be tempting to simply head home and rest after a collision, you should seek out medical attention if you have any type of injury. A small laceration or bruise could actually be the result of a much more serious health complication, and some of those injuries must be treated right away. Once you are at the hospital, you should ask for a list of any medications or treatments you receive as well.
Contact an Attorney
It is an unfortunate fact that many collisions turn into complicated legal battles, and you might need a car accident lawyer by your side. Your attorney is going to organize your information, contact the insurance companies, and fight on your behalf so that you receive fair compensation. They will also be able to file all the proper paperwork if your accident does escalate into a criminal or civil trial.
When it comes to your health and property, you must always be on the side of caution. The steps that you take after an auto accident could impact your life for years to come, and you need to be sure that you are fairly compensated so that you can cover all your expenses.
This article is from Brooke Chaplan, a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
