According to the WHO, approximately 1.3 million people die or get injured due to automobile accidents all over the world. Car accidents, be it small or big, put you through a nerve-wracking experience, so it is really important to be aware of what to do after an accident.
The entire process of dealing with accidents begins from the collision scene and can lead to courts or a simple dealing. It depends on the severity of the accident; fortunately, most of the accidents are just property damage and not loss of lives.
But two out of every ten accidents end up with fatal injuries, loss of lives, and severe property damage. And most of the time, people do not know how to proceed, recover and resolve automobile accidents. Well, here are a few essential steps to get you prepared for an auto accident.
1. Stay calm
The first thing you need to do post an accident is to stay calm and get out of the car. Don’t panic or lose your head; quickly make sure everyone is safe around. In the case of children, quickly pull them out of the car, lay them down, and immediately check for injuries.
Stop any kind of excessive bleeding by applying pressure on it. Help the other drivers or the vehicles involved in the accident. Keep calm and take in the entire scene, observe everything around.
Be it a minor or major accident, never flee the scene. In case of fatal accidents, never move your body; wait till the ambulance comes by. If it’s the other vehicle, help them and make sure you don’t move their body, especially the neck region, and help them lay flat on the road. Call 911 immediately.
2. Clear the road
Once you check for injuries, move your vehicle to a safer location on the side of the road. Switch on your emergency flashers to guide the vehicles behind. It doesn’t matter who made the collision, make sure you do not flee the scene.
Unless it is a minor accident with no injuries, no property damage, you should immediately call the police to the scene. Report your accident and make sure police documents it and makes it an official record.
3. Check for damage
Proof is very important to claim any form of insurance or to provide evidence in the courts. If you are in a position to take pictures of your automobile, make sure to do that. Take pictures of your asset’s damage along with the other vehicle’s damage. Make sure you clearly mention the property damage to the police at the scene.
4. Exchange information
Information is the key when an accident happens. Make sure you hand over the entire information to the official authority present there. Even if the authority is present or not, make sure you exchange phone numbers and insurance documents with the other drivers involved in the accidents. Take pictures of each other’s license IDs, license plates, and even the other driver’s face.
Take all the vital information so that you can contact them in the future, or your attorney can call them for a court hearing. Even if it’s a minor accident, make sure you exchange numbers and addresses so that you can use them for future references. In case of any witnesses present in the scene, don’t forget to collect statements and numbers from them for future references.
5. Never make deals
It is often that the offender tries to make deals with the victim to evade legal procedure. This can be a hindrance if the accident is taken to the courts. Make sure you never make side deals, even if the offender offers you a huge sum of money or claims they have no insurance.
6. Do not admit fault
When you meet with an accident, you are in a very sensitive state, which can make you say unnecessary statements. Make sure you don’t claim any statements that can be construed as an admission of guilt from your side. Even to the officials there, construct your statements in a precise manner and be specific about the accident details.
Elaborate the entire incident to the tiniest detail so that you leave no opportunity to turn the tables. At the same time, at the peak of your emotions, do not play the blame game. Don’t point fingers at the other drivers and accuse them of the accident. Leave the issue to the police, lawyers, and insurance companies.
7. Call your lawyers
Once the vehicles are cleared from the road, call your lawyers. Notify them about the accident and mention all the details without fail. Exchange the license plate numbers, phone numbers, and insurance IDs of the driver as well as yours then and there.
If you don’t have a lawyer, approach Arash law to get civil court lawyers to help you. They give consultations to check if your case has merit and will help you file a case in a precise manner. It is crucial to contact your lawyers as soon as possible to avoid any kind of wrong accusations and false claims.
8. Seek medical aid
It is crucial you get immediate medical assistance. Go to a hospital nearby, tend your wounds, take necessary steps as suggested by the doctor, and cross-check for internal bleeding or injuries. Once the atmosphere settles down, don’t forget to get a master to check up to make sure you are perfectly alright.
Once the file is reported, and the injuries are tended to, call your insurance agents and report the accident. Send them the photos of the damage and file the accident. Nowadays, you can claim insurance through mobile itself. Do it as soon as possible with no delay.
9. Organize details
No matter how big or small the accident is, it is essential to document the entire process. File all accident related documents like police copy, medical bills, offender’s details, treatment plans, and insurance documents. Keep them filed and secured, and they will come in use anytime.
Conclusion
Accidents are unfortunate, but it is vital to be prepared for them. Always have doctors and lawyers at one call away to help in these situations. Be it a minor or major accident, either you do it or someone else, never flee the scene.
Help the victims and then sort the issue. Make sure all your auto assets are insured and get maintenance checks regularly. Be careful because anyone anywhere can get into an accident anytime.
