Traffic accidents happen every day all over the world. Because so many people rely on their cars to get around, it’s no wonder that the statistical rate of accidents is high. Even if you are a conscientious and safe driver, you can still be involved in an accident. This is because your safety also lies in the hands of other road users. Although there are a high number of traffic accidents every day, fortunately, many of these don’t result in fatalities. However, this doesn’t mean that getting into a car accident is fun or straightforward. Here is what to do should you ever find yourself in a minor car accident.
Stop
If you are driving and have been hit by another vehicle or have otherwise been involved in an accident in your car, you must stop the vehicle and switch on your hazard lights. If you can quickly find somewhere safe to pull over before stopping, this can be good as it decreases obstructions for other motorists; however, this isn’t as important as stopping the car.
Check for Injuries
The shock of being in a car accident can sometimes distract a person from noticing their own injuries, so it’s important that you check your body to make sure you aren’t seriously hurt. If you have passengers in your car, you should also make sure that they are unhurt and safe, especially if they are children or infants, as they can’t assess themselves.
Call the Emergency Services
If the accident is at all obstructing the flow of traffic, you must call the authorities so they can put up proper diversion signs for other motorists. If anyone is hurt, call an ambulance and explain the situation clearly. Do your best to give detailed and accurate information about your location so the emergency services can find you and help you as soon as possible.
Exchange and Gather Information
If the people or person from the other vehicle has also stopped, which they should have, you must exchange insurance information as well as your name and address. Sometimes a car accident can become a messy argument between two parties who both claim to have been wronged by the other and therefore owed recompense. If you find yourself in this situation, Horst Shewmaker can offer practical advice that will help to protect you from legal complications.
Car Accident Prevention
Being in a car accident is frightening. It can make you feel out of control and shaken. Fortunately, if your accident was minor and no one was seriously injured, you can use it as a chance to learn and grow for the future. Sometimes accidents happen completely out of nowhere and for seemingly no reason, with no blame or responsibility involved. The most you can do is focus on improving your own driving skills, being more aware of your surroundings while driving, wearing your seatbelt, and regularly making sure that your car is roadworthy. You can’t predict the future, but you can reduce the chances of another car accident.
