What To Do After a Car Accident

Getting in a car accident can be stressful, but the most important thing is to make sure everyone is okay. After that, the steps to follow are pretty straightforward and are listed below.

Check for injuries.

As soon as a car accident occurs it is imperative to check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone in your vehicle is injured call 911 immediately, try not to move, and wait for the paramedic to arrive.

Move the car to a safe location.

If no one in your vehicle is injured, take a breath, check your surroundings, and move your vehicle to a safe location. If you are on the highway try to make it to the emergency lane or exit the highway if possible. If you are on the streets pull over to a safe spot, into a parking lot, or into a neighborhood.

Call 911.

Although you may have called 911 right after the accident if there were no injuries and you were able to get to a safe location it is important to call 911 now to have a cop come to file an accident report. 

Make sure to get the police report number because your insurance company will most likely ask for it when you file a claim. The police officer’s name and number will also be benficial for future reference as well. 

Document the accident and exchange information.

While you are waiting for 911 to arrive, it is the perfect time to collect information from the other driver(s) involved, and anyone who witnessed the incident. 

Get the name, phone number, mailing address, and email address of the other driver(s). Get the other driver(s) insurance information: Insurance company name, phone number, and policy number.

Get the name and phone number of any witnesses.

Document the location of the accident and take photos of all the cars involved, any damages, and license plate numbers.

File a claim.

Now it’s time to start the claims process with your insurance company or against someone else’s insurance. Calling while you are still at the scene may be the easiest way to file a claim. If you call while you are still at the scene, your insurance company will be able to tell you exactly what information you need to make sure you don’t miss anything and to make the claims process a breeze.

Finding who’s at fault.

Once your insurance company receives all the information they need, the insurance adjuster will decide who is at fault. They will also determine what you will receive for damages. Depending on which state you are in will be a factor in determining who is at fault or a percentage of fault. Make sure to look up your state’s at-fault laws, and if you feel that you are not receiving the compensation you deserve contact an attorney as soon as possible.

A West Palm Beach car accident lawyer talks about how insurance companies hope that victims are not represented. Contact an attorney if you don’t feel the insurance companies offer is fair or if you experience any issues. The right attorney will help you fight for your rights.

Conclusion

Don’t let your post-crash shock keep you from getting all the information you need. If you follow these steps the only thing you will have to worry about is getting your vehicle repaired as quickly as possible.