Getting into a car accident is something that no one ever expects will happen to them. Besides the risk of injury, and the damage to your car, there is a lot of stress that comes along with the ordeal. However, if you know ahead of time the proper steps that you should take, you can make dealing with a car accident a little simpler. To that end, here is what to do if you are in a car accident.
1. Get To Safety – Getting to a safe location is your first priority after getting into a car accident. Car accidents can occur anywhere, and before you can start moving through the next steps, you want as safe a place as possible before proceeding. Pull over to the side of the road, or place some cones around your car to alert other drivers. Once you are safe, move onto the next steps.
2. Call For Assistance – The next thing you will want to do is call for assistance. This includes calling the police to have them file a report, calling an ambulance if anyone has been injured, calling friends or family if you need their help, or calling for road side assistance if you are no longer able to drive your vehicle. It can take a little while for help to arrive, so the sooner you call, the better off you will be.
3. Swap Information – Once you are in a safe place, and any needed help is on the way, you should now go talk to the other drivers involved. You will want to make sure that everyone is okay and begin swapping contact and insurance information. Be sure to get as much information as possible from the other driver and handle the interaction in a professional manner. Both sides are likely on edge, so try to keep your composure to avoid escalating the situation.
4. Take Pictures – While outside your car, you will also want to take pictures of the accident. Photograph your car, any other cars involved, and the surrounding area. Since most cellphones now have cameras built-in, you can easily snap a few quick pictures on your phone for later use. Another quick tip would be to start taking notes, write them down on a piece of paper or in your phone. If there were any witnesses to the accident take down their name, contact information, and make note of what they witnessed. These notes combined with the pictures can be very helpful in re-creating the story of how the accident started and what damages or injuries were caused. If any complications arise later between you and the other drivers, having the proper pictures of evidence of the car accident will be very valuable.
5. Get Medical Attention – If you suspect you sustained any type of injury as a result of the car accident, are concerned about how you feel, or you simply want to be cautious, you should seek immediate medical attention. Even minor injuries can turn worse if left untreated, and you will want to get an official record of any injuries sustained during the accident. When recognizing even the slightest feeling of potential injuries from the accident you should immediately jump to step number 6. The majority of car accidents become drawn out difficult situations because of injuries and medical attention. If you wait too long to get treated, you may not be able to claim the injuries that were a result of the accident.
6. Call Schenk Podolsky, My Arizona Injury Lawyers – It is highly recommended that anyone involved in an accident speak to an attorney. Mesa attorneys Schenk Podolsky, My Arizona Injury Lawyers, offer free consultations on accidents to help assess the situation. If there were injuries involved – on either side – or if the other driver is not insured, Schenk Podolsky, My Arizona Injury Lawyers can assist in making sure you receive any payments that are due to you, and will handle all of the legal work involved so that you don’t have to worry about it. Oftentimes medical treatment for the injuries can be found with low or no out of pocket costs, ensuring the medical fees are paid by the insurance company through a personal injury claim.
If you can follow these 6 simple steps, you should find that your next car accident goes a little bit more smoothly. Getting into an accident is a stressful experience, but with the proper knowledge ahead of time, you can remove at least some of the stress. While this may not make your experience an enjoyable one, it can at least keep it from becoming worse.
