Accidents happen
Being involved in a car collision can be a very stressful event. It can happen to any of us regardless of our driving aptitude. Longer commutes and heavier traffic simply elevate the chances of being involved in a vehicular accident.
The first thing to be determined is to see if anybody is hurt or needs medical attention. It is also advisable to seek assistance from law enforcement. An official accident report can help in the determination of liability.
It is always important to be prepared. Having your insurance information at hand and a camera or smartphone camera can be very helpful. Never leave the scene of an accident, even if you think you are not at fault. Always get the other parties insurance information. Try to document as much as you think is needed.
Steps to follow after a car accident
Following these steps can help you in the event of an accident:
1. Assist anybody that might be injured. Ask everybody involved if they might be injured. If you determine someone needs medical attention, call 9-1-1 and seek assistance. It is very important to attempt to keep everybody safe. Move if need be to a safe location in order to avoid a secondary accidental incident.
2. Control the scene of the accident. If the vehicles are drivable and nobody needed medical attention, move the vehicles to a safe location on the shoulder or side of the road. Be sure to turn on your hazard lights. Set out warning flares or reflective triangles. Do not leave the scene of the accident, but ensure that you relocate to a safe area.
3. Notify Law Enforcement. Regardless of who is at fault, it is important and even required by law that a proper police report is filed for any vehicular accidental incident. If for whatever reason the police are not available you can always file a report by visiting a local police department or automobile insurance agency in the days after a crash. Having a proper police or insurance report on file may help later if a liability claim is filed.
4. Document the Scene of the accident and exchange insurance information with all parties involved in the crash. Also, try to get contact information of any witnesses that may be willing to cooperate. Having all this information can be invaluable to help complete any future paperwork or address any potential problems.
5. Get your vehicle repaired. You have the right to get your vehicle repaired at the body shop of your choosing. After an accident, several wrecker trucks might show up. Some of them work with body shops that will pay them a commission to tow your vehicle to that shop. It is important to remember that it is your choice. Why not get your vehicle properly repaired by the best body shop in town. Royal Collision will repair your vehicle to showroom quality with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor.
6. Sometimes an unintended vehicle or property can get damaged during the course of an accident. Attempt to inform the owner of the incident. It the owner cannot be located, leave a note attached to the vehicle or property that was damaged with your contact information.
By driving a vehicle, we all assume legal and financial responsibility in the case of an accident. Accidents can be very emotional. Never attempt to conclude who is at fault, and refrain from documenting how things happened. Never allow yourself into being pressured to admitting fault or giving an opinion about the cause of the crash. If you wish, you can contact an attorney before giving a statement.