According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 6.7 million car accidents in 2019, with 1.9 million resulting in injuries.1 Even a minor car crash can leave you shaken up and unable to think clearly. It’s therefore important to know what to do immediately after an accident. One is to not rush into settling the case; you don’t know how much medical care will cost, and insurance companies will often try to settle within the first 24 hours, at an amount much lower than your case is worth.
What to Do After a Car Crash
- See If You or Anyone Else Is Injured: Safety is the number one priority in an automobile crash. Check yourself for injuries. If you are hurt, call 911 or have someone call for you, and wait for emergency personnel to arrive. Try not to move as it can exacerbate any potential injuries. If you’re not seriously hurt, check on passengers and others involved in the accident; if anyone is hurt, call for emergency assistance or ask any witnesses or bystanders for help.
- Make Sure Children, Elders, Disabled Persons, and Pets Are Safe: Don’t leave the vehicle with kids, elderly family members, disabled individuals, or pets inside. They are vulnerable to the effects of a hot car. At the very least, you can reassure them that you are in control, especially when they’re frightened or agitated. If a young child is in a car seat, don’t move them as there may be unseen injuries.
- Get to a Safe Location: After a car crash, the last thing you want is for your vehicle to be in the way of oncoming traffic. Drive your vehicle to the side of the road, with your hazard lights on, if the accident is minor and you’re not hurt. Once you’ve moved the car, put out flares or reflective triangles so other drivers can see you, slow down, and avoid your vehicle.
- Call for Help: Call for an ambulance if you’re hurt or not sure whether you’re injured or not. The rush of adrenaline can mask any pain, so it’s best to get immediate medical attention. Contact the police regardless of the severity of the accident. Responding officers will document the scene and fill out an accident report. Write down their names, badge numbers, and contact information; request a copy of the accident report from the officer, police department, or insurance adjuster.
- Collect Important Information: The more details you collect, the better. Write down or use your cellphone camera to document driver’s license numbers, addresses, and phone numbers. Other pertinent details include the year, make, model, and color of the other driver’s vehicle, license plate number, and vehicle identification number. Also get the person’s insurance policy number and phone number of the company.
- Document as Many Details as Possible: Smartphones are invaluable in this situation. You can use the device’s camera, video, and voice recorder to document the damage to your car and the other driver’s vehicle. Photograph the entire car and take close-ups of damaged areas. Where the impact occurred can affect your claim. Also note the date and time of the crash, weather conditions, the direction each vehicle was heading, and any skid marks, debris, or property damage. The insurance adjuster can use these details to re-create the accident and assess your claim.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: Most insurers have a deadline for notifying them of a car crash. You can call the company/agent directly or start the claims process on its website or mobile app. Do not accept or negotiate any cash deals to avoid filing a claim; failing to notify your insurance company can leave you liable for damages.
Contact The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani
If you’ve been in a car crash, our Los Angeles personal injury attorney will help file your claim and get compensation for damages/injuries. We’ll work with your insurance company and connect you with the medical treatment you need. No fees are charged until we win. Over the years, we’ve recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients. Call 888-382-3651 to set up your free case evaluation.
Source
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813141