What to Do After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide

Figuring yourself in a car accident can easily be nerve-wracking, especially when it’s an injury-sustaining mishap. But while it’s understandable to panic, you should remain calm and collected to protect yourself, not only from your sustained injuries but also from the other party who may run away from their responsibility, or much worse, blame you for the accident you did not cause in the first place.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do when you find yourself in a car accident.

1. Check for Injuries

Your top priority is your safety, so immediately inspect your person for injuries. Slowly check your body for signs of wound, fracture, or other visible signs of harm. Make sure you get up slowly, as you may have sustained a head or spinal injury, which can be life-threatening when moved.

If anyone is hurt, ring 911 immediately. If injuries appear serious, avoid moving your body or the injured person unless they’re in immediate danger, such as fire or oncoming traffic.

2. If You Can, Move Your Car

If the accident is minor and you’re able to move your vehicle without causing further damage, try to move it out of the traffic. This is vital to prevent additional accidents or traffic delays, which may prolong the arrival of emergency services. Pull your car to the side of the road or into a nearby parking lot if possible.

However, if the vehicle is severely damaged or someone is injured, it’s generally safer to leave the car where they are until the police arrive. Moving the car on your own prematurely could disrupt the accident scene and potentially impact insurance claims or investigations.

3. Turn on Hazard Lights

As soon as you’re able to safely stop your vehicle after the incident, turn on your hazard lights. This is a simple but effective way to alert other motorists that there’s a problem ahead, encouraging them to drive cautiously and slow down as they pass by.

Hazard lights are particularly important if your vehicle is blocking lanes or when you’re in a poorly visible area, or during a night accident. Blinking hazard lights will also help responders to locate you more quickly.

4. Call the Police

It’s always a good idea to call the police after a car accident, no matter how trivial the accident may seem. In most cases, you’ll need a police report to successfully file for insurance claims and have an official record that you may need for legal purposes afterward.

Once the cops are on the line, try your best to provide all relevant details that you can remember. Start with providing your location, number of vehicles involved in the accident, and whether there are injuries. These are key to helping the cops assess the situation clearly, document the scene, and issue a more accurate report, ultimately identifying whose fault is the accident and helping settle any dispute afterward.

5. Document the Scene

Accurate accident documentation is vital for insurance purposes and potential legal hurdles. Photograph the scene from multiple angles, including damage to all vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and other factors you deem to be relevant.

Take a snap of visible skid marks, debris, or other physical damages, as they are often strong evidence and pieces of information that could tell the whole story of the incident. In addition to photographs, write down important details such as the time of day, weather conditions, and any statements made by the other driver or witnesses. This documentation will help support your narration of events, support your insurance claim, or clear you of any responsibility.

6. Exchange Information

Don’t leave the scene without exchanging information with the other party or parties involved, even if the accident is minor. List down the driver(s) full name, driver’s license and license plate number, VIN, phone number, and insurance information, including his/her provider and policy number.

If there are witnesses to the accident, try to get their names and contact information, too. This will help you if there are disputes about what happened or if the other driver does not have adequate insurance. Keep all the information organized, as it will be needed by your car accident lawyer should there be legal matters to follow.

7. Decide Whether to File an Insurance Claim

Once the accident has been documented and the necessary information has been exchanged, it’s time to assess whether you need to file an insurance claim. Your first order of business is to notify your insurance provider, even if the accident seems minor. If a legal battle looms, it’s best to find yourself a car accident lawyer that will competently assess your claim and represent you.

They will guide you through the claims process, determine if your policy covers the damages, and help you understand your options. If the other driver is at fault, their insurance may cover your damages. However, if the other party is uninsured, underinsured, or fled the scene, your own insurance policy may need to cover the costs, depending on your coverage.

Need A Reliable Car Accident Lawyer? Alex Mendoza Law Got You Covered

You can never be too sure how things would work out after a car accident. The other party may blame you for the mishap even without being at fault, or they may run away from their responsibility. It’s also possible that you get exploited into paying unfairly if ever you’re the cause of the accident. That’s why it’s only necessary to have a dependable car accident lawyer to call once you get yourself in this kind of trouble.

At Alex Mendoza Law, we will guide you competently throughout your legal battle. It’s our utmost commitment to protect your interests, rights, and your duly merited benefits. Call us and get ahead of your legal concerns!