Car accidents are some of the most terrifying occurrences you can experience on the road. Depending on the severity of the crash and how it happened, they can also be among the most dangerous. As such, it’s crucial every driver knows what steps to take following a collision and what to do to protect themselves from the damages. This is how to handle a car accident and the steps to follow to ensure you’re taken care of after the fact.
Check Yourself and Your Passengers for Injuries
After the initial crash, it’s crucial you get yourself and any passengers to safety and address the injuries you’ve all sustained. While most minor fender-benders don’t result in more than a few scratches or bruises, it’s of the upmost importance that you make sure everyone’s alright. If your accident was at higher speeds, you’re at an additional risk of sustaining greater injuries such as broken bones.
Call Law Enforcement Officials
If you haven’t already done so, call the police. In addition to helping whoever is seriously injured, the police will help write an official report of the accident and take down any details regarding the damage. You’ll want to ask for the badge numbers of all responding officers in case you have questions at a later date about what they saw or found at the scene. This information will also come in handy when you file a claim with the insurance company.
Exchange Insurance Information
After the police arrive, exchange your insurance information with the other driver, or drivers, involved in the incident. This is the key to properly handling a car accident since it’ll be through insurance that you receive compensation for the damages you’ve sustained. The police will also jot down this information for the case file. So, should you accidently misplace your own copy, you can call the police department to obtain the necessary phone numbers.
Obtain Documentation and File a Claim
Lastly, file a claim with the insurance company of the person at fault. Following their own investigation of the crash, the provider will then issue a payout to help fund repairs for your vehicle or treatments for your injuries. However, if your injuries are severe and this amount simply isn’t enough to cover your care, you should also consider filing a personal injury claim against the other driver. These legal proceedings help you obtain the compensation you need to make up for lost wages and medical bills.
