What to Do After a Car Accident 

Car accidents happen every day. In fact, over 19,000 motor vehicle accidents are recorded in the US every single day. Still, one thing is common in this statistic: many of them don’t know what to do after a car collision. In this case, car owners often end up shouldering the cost of collision repair even if they are not at fault.   

With this, we decided to write this short guide to help car owners in case they figure in an accident. We outlined here the steps you should take to protect your rights and safety in case the unfortunate happens. 

Read on to learn these important tips straight from collision experts. 

What to do after a collision

1.   Ensure your safety first

The number one rule is to ensure everyone’s safety right after the accident. It’s crucial that you check yourself and all the passengers in your vehicle. If someone is injured, you should call 911 immediately. 

If you’re not seriously hurt, you can proceed to do these next steps:

  • Move to a safe location. If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to prevent further accidents or injuries. However, if your car is totaled, it’s best that you call a professional tow service or repair shop instead. 
  • Activate hazard lights. Next, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of the accident. This will also keep you visible on the road, especially at night. 
  • Assess potential hazards. Be aware of any immediate dangers such as leaking fluids or downed power lines. If you notice a gas leak, experts strongly advise that you stay away from the vehicle immediately. 
  • Set up warning devices. You should place reflective triangles or flares around the accident scene to warn approaching vehicles. 

2.   Call emergency services

Calling emergency services is critical in serious accidents or situations where law enforcement intervention may be required. However, it may not be needed at all times. 

Here’s what you can do:

  • Determine if 911 is necessary. Evaluate the severity of the accident, injuries, or potential hazards to decide whether you need to call 911. If no one is seriously hurt or if the vehicular damage is minor, calling the emergency number may not be necessary. Instead, you can call a roadside assistance service to bring your car to your choice of repair center. 
  • Provide essential information. When contacting emergency services, provide your location, a description of the accident, and the number of individuals involved. The rule of thumb is to answer 4Ws and 1H: what, when, where, who, and how.
  • Cooperate with emergency personnel. Once emergency personnel arrive at the scene, follow their instructions and provide any additional information they may need.

3.   Exchange information with other parties

Believe it or not, this is one of the most overlooked aspects after a car accident. But to be fair, being in an accident is overwhelming, and exchanging information with other parties involved may not come to mind right away.  

So why do we highlight this part? It’s because exchanging information with other involved parties is necessary for insurance claims and legal purposes. Unless you want to sweep everything under the rug and pay for repairs, it’s crucial that you do this. 

Here is the information you should obtain from other parties involved in the accident: 

  • Names and contact information. Obtain names, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses of all drivers, passengers, and witnesses.
  • Insurance details. Gather insurance information from all parties involved in the accident.
  • Photograph relevant documents. Take clear pictures of driver’s licenses, license plates, insurance cards, and vehicle registration to ensure accuracy.

4.   Document the accident

Documenting the accident scene thoroughly will be valuable during the claims process. Also, it will help experts assess the extent of your car’s damage during repair. The photos and videos of the scene will help technicians bring your car back into shape. 

Here’s what to do in a collision once everyone is safe:

  • Capture multiple angles. Take photographs or videos of the accident scene from various angles to show vehicle positions and damage. We recommend that you take both close-up and wide-angle shots to put things into perspective. 
  • Note important details. Document weather conditions, road conditions (e.g., wet pavement), traffic signals, or signs present at the scene. Also, we recommend that you note any witness statements or contact information.

5.   File a police report

In some situations, involving law enforcement in filing a report is necessary. Follow these steps when filing a police report:

  • Evaluate if a report is required. Assess if local laws state that accidents resulting in injuries or significant property damage must be reported to law enforcement. Nevertheless, some car owners prefer to settle the damage in private instead of dragging it to court. 
  • Provide accurate details. When speaking to an officer about the accident, give a clear account of what occurred without speculating on fault. Be calm and collected, so you can describe what happened properly. 
  • Obtain a copy of the police report. You should always request a copy of the police report for future use during insurance claims or legal proceedings.

6.   Notify your insurance provider

Next, you can start the car collision insurance procedure. Call your insurance provider about the accident as soon as you can. 

You can follow these steps to ensure timely communication:

  • Contact your insurance company. Inform your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible, providing them with accurate details. Remember that the longer it takes you to inform your insurer, the higher the chance your claim will be denied. 
  • Share essential information. Give a clear account of the accident, including dates, times, locations, and parties involved. Never lie to your insurance provider. Many car owners do this and it didn’t end well. 
  • Maintain communication. Keep an open line of communication with your insurance provider throughout the claims process. Make sure that you submit all the requested documents for a faster claim process. 

7.   Seek medical attention

Even if you feel fine immediately after an accident, it’s important to seek a professional medical evaluation. Many car owners who had been in an accident only felt the physical toll days later. This is why we recommend that you do the following: 

  • Recognize delayed symptoms. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. You should pay attention to any unusual physical or psychological changes in the days following the accident.
  • Choose healthcare providers wisely. Select reputable healthcare providers experienced in treating accident-related injuries. If you feel like something is off, it’s important that the healthcare provider addresses it properly. 
  • Keep records of medical treatments. Maintain copies of your medical bills, treatment plans, test results, and any other documentation related to your injuries. You can use this later if you decide to file a lawsuit or seek additional compensation from the parties involved. 

8.   Consult an attorney (if necessary) 

What additional steps should you take following a collision? If necessary, you may want to talk to a lawyer. In some cases, consulting with a personal injury attorney may be necessary depending on various circumstances:

  • When legal representation is advisable. Legal representation is vital, especially if you sustained severe injuries or face disputes over fault, compensation, or criminal offenses like DWI in a state like Edmonton. A specialized criminal defense lawyer can guide you through the complex legal process, offer invaluable support, and build a strong defense tailored to your situation. Don’t hesitate to seek help from criminal defence lawyer edmonton to protect your rights and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
  • Benefits of having legal representation. A skilled attorney can help navigate claim negotiations or potential lawsuits. He can also protect your rights during this complex process.
  • Finding reputable attorneys. You should research reputable personal injury attorneys specializing in car accidents. This is to ensure that you will be represented well in case you decided to pursue a case or seek further compensation. 

Conclusion

Knowing what to do in a car collision is essential for ensuring safety and protecting yourself legally. We always recommend keeping a clear head when dealing with the situation. Also, make sure you document everything and cooperate with the authorities.

As much as car accidents are scary, it’s important to be prepared and informed. This will save you from a lot of trouble, especially in the legal aspect. 

Still, remember to prioritize safety at all times. Above all, you should seek appropriate medical attention before you start facing damage to your car. And once everyone is safe, that’s the only time you should call a collision repair center to deal with the physical damage to your vehicle. 

In the end, being a responsible driver is the best way to handle road situations. It will also reduce your risk of figuring in an accident in the future. 

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David Smith
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David Smith

David Smith is Chicago based automotive content writer. He has been working in the auto industry for a long time. And shares his thoughts on automobiles, repair and maintenance, top selling cars on Auto Seeks. David Smith likes to ride new vehicles so that he can present a well informative information to our readers. Beyond cars and vehicle review he also enjoys playing baseball along with teengers.

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