6 Critical Actions to Take After a Car Accident

With millions of car accidents happening from Sarasota to San Diego every year, it’s to your advantage to know what action to take if it happens to you. Being involved in a car accident can be physically and emotionally stressful. Being able to think clearly and act quickly following a crash could save your health and your wallet.

The stress of an accident can be overwhelming, and it can be tough to think clearly about what needs to be done while you are still at the scene. However, knowing these tips could help you without hesitation and secure not only yourself and your passengers but also your future.

San Diego or Sarasota car accidents can cause damage, loss, injury, or even death. Knowing the steps to take immediately after a crash can be crucial. Let’s look at a few things that you should always do after a car accident.

Remain At the Scene

It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident. Even if you don’t believe that there were any injuries or damage, you must stop your vehicle and remain at the scene until the authorities arrive. Leaving the scene of an accident could result in charges and fines.

Assess the Scene

Once you have ensured that you are unhurt, it becomes crucial to assess the rest of the accident scene and find out other drivers’ and passengers’ conditions. Ensuring the safety of everyone on the scene should be your priority. Make sure that the scene itself is not a hazard to other drivers. Put on your hazard lights and remove any large debris safely out of the way of moving traffic.

Call 911

After an accident, you will need to notify the authorities and call in an EMT team for anyone that was injured. Once the police arrive on the scene, you will need to give a simple statement of the events that led to the collision, and they will make a formal report. Request a copy of the accident report for your records.

Exchange Information

It is your responsibility to exchange information with all other drivers at the scene of the accident. Get and give your insurance information, address, contact information, and vehicle registration numbers before leaving the scene. 

Collect Evidence

If you were injured, or your vehicle sustained damage, it’s critical to think about your legal rights. You may end up filing a lawsuit, and this is the time to start collecting evidence. It’s essential to write down every detail about the accident while it is still fresh. The stress of an accident can quickly cloud important details if you don’t record them right away. Make sure to collect evidence, including:

• Photos of the scene and all damage from various angles

• Date and time of the accident

• Weather and road conditions

• Names and contact information for all drivers and passengers

• Witness statements

• An approximate timeline of the accident

• Circumstances that led to the accident

Contact Insurance Company

To avoid delays in receiving accident coverage from the insurance company, you need to report your accident as soon as possible. The longer you take to report your accident and begin your claim, the longer you could wait for compensation.

If you are injured during a car accident, you should contact a lawyer to help you build a case to seek compensation for your losses. Being involved in an accident can be traumatic and stressful. Knowing the right steps to take after a crash can help you secure your safety and your future.