Unfortunately, most of us will be involved in at least one car accident during our lifetime. It’s important that you know what to do after a car accident because people may be injured and emotions may run high.
Check on Everyone Involved in the Car Accident
It is important to remember that car accidents are usually not intentional. Being angry or hostile with the other driver only makes the situation more difficult and stressful. After a car accident, check on everyone involved and ask them if they’re okay. If someone is injured and needs medical attention or if you’re uncomfortable exiting your vehicle, call 911 and ask for emergency assistance.
Call the Police
If there has been a lot of damage to property or if someone has been injured or killed, you should call the police. If police officers arrive at the scene, ask that a police report be filed. If the officers write up a police report, write down the report’s assigned number. It’s also helpful to have the name, badge numbers, and contact information from the responding officers.
Exchange Information
Exchange contact information with the other people involved in the car accident. Write down their names, addresses, phone numbers, drivers license numbers and insurance companies. If there are witnesses at the scene of the accident, get their contact information as well because they may be able to provide valuable testimony that can help your case.
Gather Information
You should talk to all witnesses of the car accident and write down what they saw and their contact information. Also, record the make/model and registration information of all involved vehicles. If you’re in an accident with other vehicles, use the camera to record the scene from multiple angles but remember to do this safely without entering the flow of traffic. Photographs of these things are usually very helpful: (1) from all of the driver’s perspective before the accident, (2) damages to the vehicles, (3) traffic signs in the area, (4) skid marks, and (5) the final positions of the vehicles. Sometimes, taking video or pictures are not possible because of the car accident’s location, such as on a freeway. Always use good judgment in deciding whether it is safe to record.
Above all, never leave the scene of a car accident until its appropriate to do so. This may mean waiting until you have exchanged information with the other parties involved or the police have arrived.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it may be in your best interest to contact an attorney. An attorney can help you obtain a recovery for the damages you have suffered as a result of the car accident. Lambert Zainey has over 35 years of experience handling car accident cases, and Lambert Zainey does not charge you a fee until a settlement has been reached or damages awarded. As one of Lambert Zainey’s personal injury attorneys, I aggressively represent my clients to help the maximize their recoveries. You can contact me or any of the attorneys at Lambert Zainey here.
PS – Check out our holiday driving tips that we posted earlier this week.