What to Do After a Car Accident: Your Immediate Guide

Each year, there are 6 million car accidents in the U.S. Do you know how to handle a car accident?

The time after an accident is scary, and you may not be able to think clearly. Knowing what to do ahead of time can help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself.

Keep reading, so you know what to do after a car accident.

Check for Injuries and Call Police

Before you do anything, you need to make sure you and any passengers are ok. Call 911 immediately if there are injuries to get help.

Do not move anyone that is seriously hurt unless they are in an unsafe location. Wait for trained professionals that can secure a person.

Just because an accident is minor; it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t call the police. Your insurance company needs an official accident report to process your claims.

Get to Safety

If your car is in traffic and you can move it, do so. For cars that are not operational, you should move to a sidewalk or the side of the road away from the vehicles. This helps avoid further accidents with oncoming traffic.

Stay and Wait

Whatever you do—do not leave the scene of an accident. It doesn’t matter if it was minor because there are serious consequences for hit and run drivers.

You can talk to the other involved parties as you wait. Be cordial and try not to admit fault even if you are at fault. The police will determine the driver at fault.

Exchange Information

Now that everyone is in a safe location and you called emergency personnel, you should exchange information with the other drivers and witnesses.

Information to collect includes:

Names
Contact information like phone numbers
Insurance information
License plate numbers

You should get this information from all involved parties. This includes the names of any other passengers, so you have all the needed information.

Document the Car Accident

You need to try to document the accident and take photos of the wreckage. Take notes of how the car accident happened and try to document as much as you can on the scene.

You may have a hard time remembering the exact details over time. Photos are a great thing to show your lawyer when trying to determine compensation.

Call Your Insurance Company

Don’t wait too long to call your insurance company. As soon as all injuries are treated and you are home, you should call your agent and tell them what happened. Be as detailed and clear as you can.

Don’t lie to your insurance company because they may deny your claim. The insurance will also want to get a copy of the auto accident report, which the officer on the scene should give you details on how to get it.

Keep All Accident Information Together

If you are getting medical treatment, be sure to keep all receipts. You should see a doctor after an accident even if you don’t have any issues immediately.

You may also want to keep a journal that outlines any difficulties from the accident. This will help determine your pain and suffering compensation. Try to be as detailed as possible.