The shock that comes when you are involved in a car accident is significant. Even if you do not sustain injuries, there is a level of anxiety and worry about what happened. Some people cannot believe something like this has happened to them, while others are in complete shock at the injuries or the damage to their vehicle. Although being cautious on the road so that you do not have to go through such a situation is essential, accidents can still happen no matter how good of a driver you are.
While you cannot worry when an accident might occur, there is a way you can prepare yourself if you should ever be in an accident. Following specific steps is essential to guarantee that you come out of this experience with the proper compensation and insurance assistance. The following are the most important things you should do when you are involved in a car accident.
Check for injuries
Finding out if the other driver has insurance or deciding to call your car accident attorney after rear-end collision are both relevant points, but they should not be a priority. The first thing you must do when you are in a car accident is to check for injuries. Some injuries are apparent. You may have a headache from hitting your hand with the airbag or blood on your body, while other injuries may be internal and less noticeable. Ensuring that you are doing well is essential, and if you have any doubts, it is crucial to call an ambulance to seek medical assistance. The same goes for the parties involved. If you see that the person is not doing well, take action and call for help.
Call the police
If there is significant damage to the vehicles or serious injuries are involved, it is essential to call the police. The latter will visit the spot of the accident and write a report. Remember to get a copy of the police report for future use, including for insurance purposes. You might also need the police report in case you seek a lawyer’s assistance if you want compensation for injuries endured or damage.
Save contact details
Sometimes you might think you have no injuries or that your vehicle has not suffered any damage, but only later in the day, once the shock of the accident has passed, do you realize that you have suffered an injury or noticed damage on your car. For this reason, getting the contact details of the other party involved in the accident is vital. If the damage is significant, consider looking around you and notice whether there are any witnesses on the scene. If there are, ask these people for their contact details as they could play a crucial role if you open a legal claim.
Take photos of everything
Nothing beats concrete imagery, no matter how alert you are at the moment of the accident. Insurance companies and lawyers need photos to get the story straight. These professionals may notice something you missed, which could be an essential detail that will make or break your case. Take pictures of any injuries you have suffered and photos of the damage to the vehicle. Remember to take shots of the surrounding area and the street you are in to create a straightforward story for those involved and better your chances regarding legal or insurance claims.
Write everything down
Once you are home and have a moment to process what happened, it is best to write down everything. Don’t miss anything. Even the littlest details can make or break a case. Write everything you remember on paper, as it is easy to distort the story as time passes. This unofficial report created by you is helpful if you decide to open a legal lawsuit. But it can also help when discussing damages with the insurance provider.
Contact the insurance company
Once you have your story straight, it is time to contact your insurance provider to see what your options are. The insurance provider will let you know the kind of coverage you have and whether it is worth opening a claim or not. If the other party is at fault, you will need to wait for answers from their insurance provider.
Get in touch with a specialist lawyer
If you have suffered extensive injuries and cannot return to work, it is best to contact a specialist lawyer to help you get what you deserve through a legal suit. This is also relevant in case you are the one at fault. Suppose you believe the other party’s insurance provider is asking for more than you should pay. In that case, a specialist lawyer can do the research and help you navigate the process, so you only pay what you are expected to.
Making the most of a bad situation
All the former steps are helpful and necessary to ensure the collision doesn’t go from bad to worse. However, it can be hard to do everything on this list when you are under shock. Accordingly, if you feel unable to tackle these points because you are panicky or anxious, consider calling someone you trust who can consider these points and manage the situation better than you can for the moment. A family member or a friend you trust can go over these points and prepare them for you so that they will be ready when you need evidence and contact details.