Important Steps to Take After a Car Accident

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, and almost everyone will at some time in their life experience one, so it is vitally important that you know what to do if it happens to you. In this article we will outline the key steps you should take after a car accident in order to ensure your physical and financial wellbeing.

Safety first

The first thing you should do after a car accident is to stay calm and assess if you or other people involved in the crash have any injuries, if anyone is injured call an ambulance immediately. Next, if it is safe to do so, move your vehicle out of the traffic to a safe area and put on your hazard lights if possible.

Call the police

Even if it is a minor accident, it is important to call the police and get them to file an accident report, this is essential for any insurance claims you may need to make. Talk only with the police and your insurance agent and do not get into discussions with the other driver about who was at fault.

Get all the details

Make sure you get all the relevant details such as the name, address and contact details of everyone involved in the accident. It is also useful to get their insurance company’s name, a description of the car and the licence plate number.

Get witnesses

Get the contact details of any witnesses to the crash, they might be able to give a better description of the crash and help determine who was at fault. Also take the name and badge number of the police officers who attend the scene.

Take photos

Use your mobile phone to take plenty of photos of all the cars involved in the accident. This can be crucial information for later insurance claims or court cases arising from the accident.

Make a sketch of the accident

Draw a rough sketch of the accident which has all the roads and objects as well as the placement of all the vehicles involved. This can be very useful when filing your insurance claim.

Contact your insurance agent

Call your insurance agent as soon as possible and get their advice on what other steps to take, you may not be thinking clearly after an accident and they can help remind you of the things you need to do.

Contact your lawyer

If you or someone else was injured in the accident, it is essential to contact a lawyer such as Turner Freeman as soon as possible after the crash to get advice on whether you are eligible to file a claim for compensation. There are strict time limits around how much time can pass before you file a claim for damages compensation and if you do not pursue it immediately, you may lose your right to make a claim entirely. So, while nobody wants to be involved in an accident, it is essential that you follow these tips to ensure the best possible outcome and ensure the safety of yourself and others.