Knowing what to do immediately after a car accident can help ensure your safety, protect your rights, and expedite the insurance claims process. Regularly reviewing what to do post-collision is a great practice for staying ready, in case you are involved in a car accident.
A car accident lawyer White Marsh at (410) LAW-YERS is available to you if you’ve been in a car accident. A consultation with them will help you explore what legal options are available to you. First consultations are free and they take claims and cases on a contingency basis. Call today to experience the legal advantage many people in White Marsh already know about.
Prioritizing Safety
Doing what you can to make sure all involved parties are safe is the first step. Find a secure place to rest, and whenever you can do so safely, move your vehicle to the side of the road or away from hazards. This prevents further accidents or traffic jams. Make sure hazard lights are turned on, and utilize cones or warning triangles around the perimeter of the collision site.
Scanning for Injuries
Check to see if you or anyone else is injured. If people are injured, call 911 immediately. Have any assessed by medical professionals, no matter how minor they appear. That way the risk of hidden complications surfacing later is greatly reduced.
Contact the Police
No matter the scale of the collision, call the police. Their accident reports are known to be invaluable for insurance claims and legal purposes. Give all information to the responding officers as accurately and detailed as possible.
Exchanging Information
Exchange contact and insurance information with all other drivers at the scene. Include the following information:
- Names
- Phone numbers
- Addresses
- Insurance policy details
- Vehicle information
Exercise politeness and be cooperative, while never discussing fault or admitting guilt; as these things could compromise your claim.
Document the Scene of the Accident
Thoroughly document the accident scene with your smartphone. You’ll want to capture the following details:
- photographs of vehicle damage
- license plates
- road conditions
- traffic signals
- relevant signage
- the locations of any cameras onsite or nearby
These images can serve as evidence during the claims process.
Gathering Witness Statements
Obtain the contact information and detailed statements of any witnesses as soon as you can. They can corroborate your narrative of the incident, thus fortifying your claim and protecting your rights to be compensated.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurer of the incident as soon as you can. Provide them with all relevant information for their claims report. Follow all guidelines to the letter. Be sure to double and triple-check what you submit, and the slightest mistake could be used against you in the future.
The Power of Silence
Don’t talk about your accident or your injuries with anyone unless they’re your lawyer or part of your insurance company. Friends, neighbors, and social media platforms are to be avoided at all costs until after your claim gets resolved.
