What to Do After a Car Accident

A car accident can turn an ordinary day into a chaotic mess in seconds. One minute you're singing along to your favorite playlist, and the next year on the side of the road, wondering what just happened. You need to find a lawyer who handles car accident insurance claims and they can help you to understand your rights. But most of the immediate steps that you take are quite simple, practical and aimed at keeping you financially safe and protected. For example, the very first step that you take after your car does a flip is to take a deep breath. Really, your brain needs a second to switch from panic mode to let's deal with this mode. Once you've checked yourself for injuries, check on anyone else involved.

 

Safety comes before paperwork, phone calls, and everything else. If everyone is safe enough to move, get to a secure location. Standing in the middle of the road is a good way to turn one accident into two, especially at night time. If your car is still working and their car is still working, turn on your hazard light and if you have them set out, emergency cones or triangles. After you've done this, you can then call the emergency services. Even if the accident does seem like a minor Fender Bender, having a police report will be incredibly helpful later on when you talk to insurance companies. Plus, officers will be able to help you to sort out traffic, gather information, and keep things calm. And let's be honest, everyone suddenly becomes very polite when a police car shows up.

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You then need to gather information like a detective on a mission. Some of the things that you'll need include:

The other driver's name, phone number and address.
Their insurance company and policy number.
Their license plate and drivers license number
Photos of both vehicles, the road damage and anything that looks important.

Think of it as creating a visual story. If there are witnesses, politely ask for their names and contact information. Witnesses can be incredibly helpful later on, especially if the other driver suddenly remembers the accident very differently. Once the immediate dust settles, contact your insurance company. You don't have to give a full statement right away, but you should let them know an accident has occurred. Stick to the facts and avoid guessing. As the medical adrenaline fades, you might notice soreness or pain that you didn't feel at the scene.

This is normal, and that's why it's smart to get checked by a doctor very quickly. Not only will this protect your health, but it also creates medical records that may be important for your claim. And then you'll be dealing with paperwork. Lots and lots of paperwork. Insurance forms, estimates, reports. It can feel like homework that you didn't sign up for. Staying organized will help. You can keep a folder with everything related to the accident handy.

Then remember, you don't have to handle all of this alone. If it becomes too stressful or if the insurance company gives you a hard time, call in the professionals.  

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