Drivers: Take These Actions Immediately After Experiencing a Car Accident
Life after a car accident is often confusing and stressful. As a result, most people make the wrong the decisions during these times. Such decisions can have a negative impact on the individual's auto insurance prospects and cause legal complications. Here are things you need to do immediately after a car accident to stay on the safer side.
Stop Immediately
Do not move away from the scene. Instead, park your car on a safer side of t he road. In case you are unable to move the car, use the safety signs to warn other drivers on the road. Turn off the engine and move out. Check both sides of the road to make sure it is safe before you open the door. Do not forget to catch your breath to release tension as you move out.
Check If Anyone is Injured
Check on the people involved in the accident to make sure no one is hurt[1]. If someone has sustained injuries, call an ambulance immediately. Do not ignore any signs of injury, even if they are minor. A seemingly minor symptom like dizziness can cause serious complications if not evaluated. You should also check yourself for any injury.
Ca ll the Police
You need to call the police even if there are no serious injuries. Having a police around will expedite the exchange of information between you and other parties involved in the accident. The police will investigate the scene, gather all the facts and prepare a comprehensive report on the accident. You will need this report to file a claim with your insurance company.
Be Accurate
Make sure you give an accurate account of the accident when the police arrive. Tell them exactly what happened without hiding any crucial information, even if it does not favor you. Do not speculate or guess any facts. You should also ensure the information given by the other people involved in the accident are accurate as well.
Take Pictures
Taking pictures is one of the most effective ways to gather crucial evidence following an accident. Make sure you take photos that shed light on details that otherwise would be left uncovered. Take as many pictures as possibl e to cover many details. The coverage should include the people at the scene, the cars, the inside of your vehicle, police officers, stop lights, your injuries, surrounding businesses and any other information relevant to the accident. Take photos of the same thing from different angles to get enough details.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your car insurance company and provide them with all the information pertaining to the accident. This should include the time of the accident, what transpired, the extent of damage and the people involved. You should also highlight the list of injuries for each person involved and the models of the cars.
Call a Lawyer
If you live in NYC, call a New York car accident attorney[2]. Give the attorney all the information about the accident, including the name of the drivers, the location of the witnesses, your insurance company, the extent of your injuries and any other related data. Never fail to contact a lawyer if you don't have an insurance policy or when the insurance company starts to act in a way that shows their unwillingness to compensate you.
Seek Medical Attention
You need to seek medical attention immediately after an accident even if your injuries are not apparent. Go to the nearest emergency room to get checked by a doctor. Ensure you keep all the medical documents, including the payment receipts.
References
- ^ hurt (www.huffingtonpost.com)
- ^ New York car accident attorney (www.zlotolaw.com)
