Media post: How to Deal with the Aftermath of a Car Accident

Many of us have been involved in minor car accidents where there was only slight cosmetic damage, and it was simply dealt with through the insurance provider. However, would you know what to do if the accident was more serious? Being prepared and knowing the proper steps to take can make a difficult situation much easier to handle. After all, car accidents are unfortunately very common – in the United States alone, there are around 6 million crashes every year, resulting in more than 3 million injuries and 40,000 deaths.

Assess the Situation

The first thing you’ll want to do is remain calm and assess the situation. Check to see if you or any passengers are injured, and call 911 immediately if medical attention is needed. With nearly 2 million drivers experiencing permanent injuries from car accidents annually, it’s important to get prompt medical care for any serious wounds.

If the accident resulted in major damage or injuries, do not attempt to move injured passengers unless there is further danger, as this can worsen injuries. Administer first aid if you are able to safely do so while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Once everyone is safe and emergency services have been contacted, consider reaching out to a car accident attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer like the ones at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers can help protect your legal rights, guide you through the claims process, and ensure you receive fair compensation—especially when injuries or significant vehicle damage are involved.

Move to Safety

If the vehicles are movable and there are no major injuries, move to the side of the road out of oncoming traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and set up road flares or triangles if you have them. Moving to safety will prevent the possibility of getting hit by another vehicle and allow first responders to see the accident scene clearly. Given that motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for people aged 1-54 in the U.S., getting out of traffic quickly is crucial.

Exchange Information

Once the immediate medical needs have been addressed and everyone is safe, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver(s) involved. This includes names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, insurance details and eyewitness information. Jot down notes about damage made to each vehicle and take photos documenting the scene from different angles. If the details are unclear or the other driver is uncooperative, call the police.

File a Police Report

Contact the police to file an official report for the accident, even if it seems minor. Having a police report can help greatly when filing insurance claims later. Provide the officers with your documentation of what transpired. Be cooperative and stick to only the facts – speculation and placing blame should be avoided. Obtain a copy of the police report or at least the report number before leaving the scene.

Seek Medical Attention

Sometimes adrenaline can mask injuries, so it’s important to get examined by a doctor after any collision. Even if you don’t have visible wounds, you may have muscle strains, internal injuries like concussions or organ damage, broken bones or spinal misalignments that need medical treatment. Follow up with your primary care doctor over the next few days too, as some symptoms can take time to fully manifest. Keep records of all accident-related medical expenses.

Get Legal Representation

According to the car accident lawyers at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C., you should notify your insurance company about the accident but do not negotiate with them directly. Instead, contact an experienced lawyer to handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies involved.

Dealing with the aftermath of any car accident can be a challenge. Staying calm, knowing who to contact, documenting the damage and injuries, and following the proper procedures will result in the best outcome from an unfortunate situation. Following these steps can provide some peace of mind.