What To Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents come as a stress trigger and therefore they can easily be overwhelming in most cases. Knowing what actions to take right after an accident is important to both your safety and the defense of your rights. Here is a straightforward outline of some dos and don’ts following a car accident.

Acknowledge and Analyze the Situation

Even in the most alarming road accidents, the first task is always to keep composed and basic. If you are involved in a road accident, you need to keep calm and evaluate the circumstances. Take care of yourself as well as your passengers and look for any possible injuries. If yes to any, seek medical services in a matter of seconds.

Ensure no Harm Further Comes From the Accident

In case it is possible to do so, reposition your car to a safe place. Next, switch on the hazard lights to prevent other road users from colliding with you. If the vehicle is in no condition to move, however, remain in the vehicle area while belted until help arrives.

Report the Incident to Law Enforcement Authorities

Understanding the issue or even the ‘why’ if there is a collision is of great importance. Contact the police as soon as they do not seem to be around at that moment. Do not panic because there are many benefits to making police reports. Consult a Philadelphia car accident lawyer who can help you in the claim process.

Share Relevant Details

Share information with the other party or parties who were involved in the same accident. Collect the following information:

●       Names as well as their phone or other contacts

●       Signature and policy numbers of the insurance companies

●       Plates of cars involved in the accident

●       Numbers of the driver’s license

Where there are bystanders, request for their contacts too. This information may be important at a later stage.

Take Pictures of the Scene of the Accident

Use your camera or your mobile phone when applicable to capture pictures of the scene of the accident, the cars, any other damage, and the area around the cars. These photos may come in handy if there are disagreements over what happened in the event. Record the date, time, and other relevant aspects of the treatment when the accident occurred.

Go for Medical Review

It is after an accident that most drivers will feel that it is undue stress to see a doctor. Most injuries will not be seen immediately after one has been involved in an accident. However, there is a constant need to go for a check-up which will assist in treating any injury that may in the future arise. It helps in creating a medical history that will be of use in any insurance claims.

Contact Your Insurance Company

As soon as you have made an accident report, the next thing is to report the case to your insurance company. All the details you have gathered in the previous section together with the police report number, the other driver’s contacts, and your pictures must all be reported to them. Make sure to include all details accurately.

Maintain File

Make a point to place all papers in relation to the accident in one folder. This can be medical expenses, bills, repairable costs, letters sent to insurance companies, as well as notes on the telephone discussions that were held on the subject of the accident. This information will also be vital should you wish to make a claim or be compensated in the future.

Seek Legal Representation

In the event that there were serious injuries or damages after the accident, there is a high possibility that legal recourse through a car accident lawyer can be sought. They can help you understand your rights and make sure that you are compensated. A lawyer will help you in carrying out the needed legal processes and the claims of insurance companies.

Avoid Social Media

After the accident, it is recommended that the individual never talk about the accident on any social network. Insurance companies may check their profiles as sources of evidence against the claimant. Hiding the information is very helpful in securing your case.

Be Persistent with Your Recovery Process

Concentrate on your recovery after the accident. Go for all the medical attendants as well as advice from the physician. If you have pain or some trouble with your health in the future, tell your doctor.

Review and Self-Assessment

When the chaos has gone, and the dust has settled, think back on the accident if you can and learn something from it. Ask yourself what you could do to avoid a recurrence – perhaps improving your defensive driving skills or being more alert to the movements around you.

Having a car accident can be disturbing, but knowing exactly what to do pushes you to better handle the event. In such cases, do not panic and protect yourself as well as your rights by taking the indicated actions.