No one plans to get in an accident. In addition to the injury and damage, a car accident can leave you feeling panicked and worried.
The moments following your accident can be some of the most important. Your head will be swimming with things you need to do, so it is essential to have a firm understanding of the most important tasks if the worst ever happens.
Here are three of the most important things to do after a car accident.
Address safety first
The most critical issue to address after an accident is safety. Car accidents often leave vehicles and people in inconvenient places.
First, get yourself and (if possible) your vehicle to a safe place on the side of the road. Once you are safe, you can start helping others get to safety if you are able.
Talk to police
Once you have a moment in a safe place, you need to call 911. Even if no one has serious injuries, you need to have the police come to the scene and make a report. Their report will include information such as:
- Time and location of the accident
- Identification of the people involved
- Important observations about the circumstances of the accident
- Statements from the drivers
Typically, police will make the report available to you to give to your insurance company. You may also need the police report to make a personal injury claim against the other driver.
Collect information
The police will gather some of the objective data from the accident. Still, you may also want to get other information too. Once you have addressed your injuries and it is safe, you should gather your own set of information, including:
- Information about the drivers
- Personal notes about what happened (your memory of the accident can fade surprisingly quickly)
- Names and contact information of witnesses
You can write everything down on a piece of paper, or you can put a few notes in your phone so you can reference them later.
Knowing what to do after a car accident can help you get the information and support you need to move forward with your recovery.