What to Do in the Aftermath of an Accident
You’re in a car accident, and you’re probably so stunned that you’re not exactly sure what to do next. There is, however, a protocol. Familiarize yourself with it, and may it effectively and efficiently guide you forward:
- For safety’s sake and whenever possible, pull your car off the road and out of the line of traffic.
- Check yourself for injuries, and call 911 if you or anyone else was or might have been seriously injured. If no one’s injured, call the authorities anyway.
- If someone else appears injured and you’re able and qualified, provide that person with aid until emergency services arrive.
By putting safety first, you ensure that you proceed in the most effective and safe manner possible. If, on the other hand, no one appears seriously injured, your job will take a different course. Exchange information. If you’re in a minor car accident in which no one is obviously injured, your task is straightforward. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other motorists and alert the authorities. Although you may feel tempted to take the other driver’s word at the site of the accident, with time that word may morph into something far less genial and far more accusatory—that’s just the nature of car accident claims. Finally, even for minor accidents, have a medical professional check you out. The impact of a car accident can lead to injuries that progress and become more pronounced with time. Your health is too important to ignore. You may need to file an accident report. You’re going to need an accident report to move forward with the claim process, and calling the authorities after an accident is, thus, in your best interest. By so doing, you’ll generate an accident report that clarifies the details of your accident from an unbiased (and experienced) perspective. Be careful about what you say after your accident.
Car accidents are nothing if not upsetting, and many of us—being human—are tempted to jump out of our cars in such situations and profess how genuinely sorry we are. While you’re of course sorry that the accident happened, it’s a terrible idea to give voice to this sentiment—which the other party is likely to later misconstrue as an admission of your own fault. In the aftermath of an accident, don’t reflect upon the accident unless the attending officer asks you direct questions that you in turn answer truthfully and succinctly—no need to get wordy or artistic with this. Insurance in a nutshell.
If you’re injured in a car accident that another driver caused, you’re going to deal with that driver’s car insurance company. As such, it’s a good idea to know a bit about the process. First off, insurance companies are in the business of driving profits, which means that they’re in the business of paying out as little as they can get away with. If that means cutting corners on your claim, so be it. After an accident, you obviously have plenty on your plate, so it’s in your best interest to let your experienced car accident attorney deal with the insurance company. Furthermore, you are not obligated to—nor should you—speak to (or go on the record with) the other driver’s insurance company. Such interviews are designed to trip you up and generate statements that the insurance company can later use to muddy the waters regarding fault. Though you may well need to go on the record with your own insurance company, your dedicated car accident attorney will prepare you to provide succinct, truthful responses that directly answer the exact questions asked. Evidence corroborates your story. If you’re injured in an accident that another driver’s negligence caused, gather as much evidence as you can at the scene of that accident. If your injuries prevent you from doing so, enlist a bystander, passenger, or loved one to take over for you. The following evidence can go a long way toward strengthening your case:
- Smartphone pictures and videos that depict the accident scene from every angle. Include shots that show the vehicles in relation to each other and that capture the license plates.
- Eyewitness testimony and contact information. (In serious accidents, the attending officers will typically attend to this.)
- Relevant documents, including the police report, medical reports and bills, damage estimates, and any other pertinent610">reports.
- A sketch of the scene that represents the specifics of the accident. Incorporate details related to the how the collision occurred, the position of the vehicles, the major damage, the exact location of the accident, and any extenuating circumstances that may have played a contributive role in the accident (including bad roads, bad weather, and obstacles to clear vision).
- A written narrative in your own words that report on your experience. Include as much detail as you can. (The upset of a car accident can quickly turn your memories hazy.)
This is by no means an exhaustive list. If you find or remember something pertinent to your case, document it as evidence. The evidence you compile is likely to play an important role in the outcome of your claim.
