“What to do after a Crash”
Car crashes can be scary sites to witness and be a part of. Many of the blog posts involve things to do to avoid car crashes, but sometimes car crashes are inevitable. Whether it is a little fender bender or a full-on crash, in this blog, we will look at what to do if you are involved in a crash.
Step 1: Regain calmness and check for injuries: During accidents, it is common for adrenaline to spike and for your body to become more stressed. Attempt to calm yourself and then asses your injuries. For some crashes, your injuries may be minor, or they could be severe. Check with the other occupants in your car to see how they are doing. If you or one of your passengers needs medical assistance call 911 immediately. After you have checked on yourself and other occupants in your vehicle, safely check on the occupants of the other vehicle if there is one.
Step 2: Safely move impacted vehicles out of traffic: If your car is moveable, move it out of the way of traffic and into a safer location on the side of the road or in a nearby parking lot. Getting a quick photograph of the area and the immediate aftermath before transporting your vehicle is a good idea. Safely pick up any large debris chunks if you feel comfortable and are uninjured.
Step 3: Call the Police: To report the accident call the authorities. Most car insurance companies require an official police report to put in a claim for the damages. The police can also help keep order and make sure all individuals are healthy.
Step 4: Exchange information: Exchange information with the other driver like name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, make and model of the vehicle, and insurance information. This is also a good time to take more detailed photos of the damage to both vehicles.
Step 5: Make travel arrangements: If you are in a motor vehicle accident and the vehicle is deemed unsafe to drive, you must find a way to make it to a safe place. It is also important to figure out where you would like to have your vehicle towed to.
Step 6: Contact your insurance provider: Most of the time contacting your insurance provider is the best idea after an accident. You may feel inclined not to call them, but the best way to protect you from potential liability down the road is to give them a call. It is not encouraged to make in the moment cash deals with the other vehicle operators to avoid insurance companies.
Car accidents can be scary, but the aftermath can be less stressful if you follow these steps. The first and most important step is making sure all individuals get the medical attention they need. After human lives and safety have been tended to, the process of dealing with damaged or broken vehicles can be dealt with. It is important to remain calm, move to safety, collect as much information as possible, and contact the proper individuals.