Nobody expects to get into a car accident. However, it's something that can happen even if you're a safe driver. Rather than think that it will never happen to you, it's a smart idea to learn what you need to do right after being involved in an accident.
1. Check If Anyone is Injured
If you seem fine, the first thing to do is make sure nobody is seriously hurt in your vehicle. From there, you want to make sure the other drivers are not seriously injured. Be careful of the incoming traffic when you get out of your vehicle. You may be disoriented or in shock due to the accident and neglect other vehicles coming your way.
2. Call the Police
If nobody is seriously injured, you want to call the police. You need them to come in and create a police report. This police report will often be necessary if you're going to file a claim to your auto insurance company. While you're waiting for them, try to get a sense of what happened during the accident. Look for witnesses if anybody was nearby.
3. Get Medical Care
If somebody is injured, call for medical first and then call the police. Because of the shock of the accident, many people in car accidents are not able to feel the extent of the damage they've sustained. Even if you feel excellent, you should still seek medical care. Many people start reporting pain hours after a car accident.
4. Call Your Lawyer
If you or any of your passengers have been injured, you will want to get in touch with a personal injury attorney. The reason why you want to call a personal injury attorney is that insurance companies will want to pay as little as possible for your claim. An experienced attorney will ensure that you are fully compensated for the physical injuries that were sustained in the accident. In most cases, they will call your insurance company to start the claims process.
5. Call Your Car Insurance Company
If it's clear that there weren't any injuries, you will want to call your insurance company to report the accident. You will probably want to get all the crucial details of the crash first. Start by getting the information about the other party or parties involved in the accident. Then take clear photos of the accident so that you have strong evidence to back up your insurance claim.
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