Every year, about 4.4 million people in the US sustain car crash injuries severe enough to need medical aid. Such incidents cost the US approximately $380 million in direct medical expenses.
Those figures prove how common and costly it is to get into a vehicle accident. Thus, if you’re one of the 230+ million licensed drivers in the US, it pays to know what to do after a car accident.
That’s what we’ll teach you in this guide, so be sure to keep reading.
1. Stop
If you get involved in a vehicle accident, you must stop, regardless of how minor the crash is. It’s the law; you must check if anyone has sustained injuries. Failure to do so can result in your getting slapped with a hit-and-run charge.
When you stop, mind your car’s position and see if it’s blocking traffic. If it is, and your vehicle is still operable, try maneuvering it to the side. However, if you can’t get it to work, try to turn at least its emergency or hazard lights on.
2. See if Anyone Needs Medical Help
Check yourself for injuries, especially bleeding cuts or broken bones. Then, ask your passengers if they’re alright. If everyone is okay, go to the other vehicles and see if anyone there needs medical attention.
Call 911 immediately if anyone is bleeding profusely, unconscious, or can’t move.
3. Contact the Nearest Police Department
All motorists involved in a crash resulting in an injury or death must report the event to the police.
What if there’s none, but the crash resulted in property damage? In that case, it’s still best to call the police, as it may have already met your state’s threshold. It varies from one state to another, but some states have a minimum as low as $500.
Besides, you’d likely need a copy of the police report when you file an auto insurance claim.
4. Swap Personal and Insurance Details
As you wait for the police, ask the involved drivers for their personal and insurance details. Better yet, request to see their driver’s license and auto insurance card as you hand over yours. That can help ensure they have a valid license and an up-to-date insurance policy.
If the crash involved a truck driver, ask that driver for the name of their company, too. Such cases are more complex, as the truck driver may not be the only party liable; the truck owner may be, too. You can check out this article for more guidance on crashes involving trucks.
List the other parties’ complete names, addresses, and contact information. Next, note their auto insurance policy number, the insurer’s name, and contact details. Lastly, write down the license plate numbers of the other involved vehicles.
Afterward, avoid speaking with the other drivers. Instead, take as many photos and videos of the scene; you can use these as evidence later.
Know more about personal injury law.
5. Call Your Insurance Company
Tell your car insurance provider that you’ve been in an accident. An agent will then let you know the steps to file a claim.
It’s also best to visit a doctor immediately after your accident. That can help ensure you don’t have hidden injuries.
Do These Right After a Vehicle Accident
And there you have it, your ultimate guide on what to do if you ever find yourself involved in a vehicle accident. Of course, we hope you never will, but it still pays to prepare so you can take the proper steps if you get into one. So, keep a copy of this guide handy, and most importantly, stay safe while driving.
Are you ready for other informative guides like this? Check out more of our recent news and blog posts then!
