The truth is no one actually looks for this kind of information because car accidents are one of those things we prefer not to think about. However, it’s a sort of knowledge worth having before such an unexpected situation rather than afterward, in order to be ready to act when needed.
It’s natural to feel shaken by a car accident, but most people don’t know what to do once the emergency has passed. Some may be too traumatized to drive for a week or more. While you don’t have control over the accident happening, you have some control over how you choose to react to it. In most cases, how you react can make a significant impact on the outcome of the accident. Hence, no matter how confused or agitated you may be, it’s always best to get your act together so you can process the accident’s aftermath in the best way possible.
This article will help you identify the right actions to take after an accident.
Stay Calm
Just after the accident, in the initial shock phase, stop the vehicle and breathe deeply in order to approach the situation calmly and assess it with an open-minded, relaxed mind (for as far as it’s even possible).
There are many instances when the accident’s after-effects are worse than they ought to be simply because the individuals involved are panicked. When you calm down, you’ll be able to make a better assessment of the accident. That way, you can also calculate what your next moves would be.
Seek The Help Of A Lawyer
Whether you’re at fault or not, injured or perfectly healthy, even before contacting an insurance agency, reach out to a car accident and injury lawyer, well versed with New Jersey Traffic Accident Laws, and tell him complexly what happened. Ask the professional how to behave before you give any recorded statement of the car crash circumstances to anyone. This is to make sure that you are going to get the compensation you actually deserve.
Check For Any Injuries That Require Medical Attention
Check your overall passengers’ health condition, as well as yours – this control is a vital must. In case anyone got hurt in any way, call 911 immediately and personally help with injuries in the meantime. You may or may not be forced to deal with car accident injuries by yourself. Injuries can be minor, whereas other accidents can be life-changing. Even if everything seems just fine, always seek medical attention, because you actually never know how serious your injuries are. Most common after-accidental injuries involve whiplash, back, and neck injuries (they can result in pain, paralysis, or even death), traumatic brain damage (possible life-long complications), cuts and bruises, broken bones (can impact your ability to function long-term), internal injuries (common in high-impact collisions), wrongful death.
Check Your Car
After you’ve ensured that every person involved in the car accident is safe, it’s time for you to evaluate your car. Do a thorough check with your car so you’re sure that it’s still safe to stay inside or nearby. There are some accidents that may have damaged the car so much that it may cause gas and other dangerous substances in the engine to leak. When this happens, it can be fatal to those nearby.
Check the car carefully for any damage and make sure that it’s in good shape. Look for dents and holes in the hood, trunk, or other areas, and make sure there’s no damage to your tires. Make sure the car is parked in a safe spot, and if there’s anything else you don’t know, ask someone for help.
Take An Assessment Of The Entire Accident Scene
After, take a second deep breath for the appropriate assessment of the accident scene. Remain with the car at the place of the crash until the arrival of the medical services and police officers. Move the car off the road only if the accident is minor and staying in the traffic became risky for any of the participants. Otherwise, leave the vehicles and any debris at the scene and stay there until law enforcement gives further instructions. You need to know What Should You Do After A Car Accident
Call The Authorities
Call the police and calmly file a report when they show up. It’s essential because it will be crucial to your claim. Even in case of the minor accidents where no one actually got any harm. Policemen may issue you a ticket, but keep in mind that signing it does not instantly label you as guilty, it’s only an agreement to the citation and to appear in court. Follow the standard procedure and just sign it if it was handed to you by a police officer. Even if you feel pushed by anyone, make sure that you refrain from making any statements about the accident. Do not open up about it on social media, and keep it private in order not to let it affect any kind of judgment and be used against you later. Keep your statements to yourself, don’t take the guilt on you, and don’t apologize. Keep it neutral.
Take Photos Of The Scene
As far as posting info about the car crash on social media is not advised, recording and photographing, in other words, saving as much of details as you possibly can, is desirable. Memorize signs of car damage, both minor and severe body injuries like scrapes, seal belt marks, stitches, casts, etc. Make sure that you provide images from various point of view of the scene (from close and afar). Take a picture of the intersection or the road where the accident took place, as it may aid a liability investigation and facilitate to discover drivers’ faults. To sum it up, the more visual evidence you collect, the more prepared you are for the future case.
Exchange Information With The Other Driver
Next, as you will want to exchange some information with the other driver, check out his ID, contact, phone number, address, insurance information, and license plate number. Do the same with every possible witness around who may be a helpful one.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After covering these basic matters, reach out to your insurance agency. Determine what are you entitled to get, and what does your policy cover. Mind that policies can sound confusing to understand in their entirety, so seek out for your insurance representative’s opinions. Write down his name, details of the accident, and what he or she responds to your description of the situation.
Whether you are at fault or not, injured or perfectly healthy, even before contacting an insurance agency, reach out to a car accident and injury lawyer and tell them complexly what happened. Ask the professional how to behave before you give any recorded statement of the car crash circumstances to anyone. This is to make sure that you are going to get the compensation you actually deserve.
Final Word
Between the most common causes of car accidents there are distracted, drunk, and reckless driving, as well as speeding (it’s the cause of one in three car accidents because it both reduces reaction time and increases the risk of a car accident), poor weather and road conditions. However, how guilty you or the other driver would not be, accidents happen without warning. Whatever the case may be, it can impact everyone involved and cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. Follow the guidelines to strengthen your case and receive financial compensation after a car accident.
