One of everyone’s biggest fears as a car owner is being in an accident. No matter how seemingly minor or severe the accident might be, the damages to your car and your mind or body are very real. Many people are very shaken in the aftermath of an accident and don’t know how to proceed. Taking the right steps after an accident can potentially save your car and can get you financial assistance for repairs and medical costs.
If you end up in an accident, as bad as it is, do your best to keep a clear mind. This will allow you to make the calls you need to recover successfully from the incident. From minor collisions to hit and runs, it is important to know how to proceed.
- Make Sure Your Car Is in a Safe Spot
If the accident occurred in the road, be sure to get your vehicle and other vehicles involved out of the street to a safe area. From there, assess any damage to you and your car, as well as the others involved in the accident. If you find that anyone needs medical assistance, be sure to make that a priority in the next step.
- Call the Police
When you call 911, make sure you tell them if you need medical assistance. Chances are they may send some anyway to ensure everyone is safe. Inform the police when they arrive of your experience of the accident to help them determine who may have been at fault. This is especially important later on, no matter how serious the accident.
- Get Their Information
Be sure to exchange insurance and contact information with the others involved in the accident. This might be your one saving grace in getting your car repaired, depending on who is at fault and the details of your coverage. Once you have that information, you can use it with your insurance company and, if necessary, for any legal action later.
- Document Everything
If you have your smartphone and it is not damaged, and if it is safe to do so, take pictures of everything. The scene of the accident, the damage to any vehicles involved and any possible internal damage. Even little things might be important for your insurance claim or any legal issues down the line.
- File Your Insurance Claim
Once you have taken care of yourself and made sure you are physically okay, you should file your claim. You can do this yourself for smaller accidents. For major incidents, it might be necessary to get a lawyer. An attorney might be able to get you a better deal with your insurance company. If you are planning on pursuing any legal action, it is better to get them on board ahead of time.
Once the claim is filed, you should be able to get your car damaged or begin the process of finding a replacement if it was totaled.
- Talk to a Lawyer
If you think legal action is necessary, talk to an attorney. A lawyer can help you especially if you have sustained a personal injury, whether from head-on or rear-end collisions or an accident on the highway. They can help you get the best possible settlement and help you to protect yourself in the event the other person pursues action against you.
Conclusion
It’s not easy to maintain composure if you’re in an accident. You’re worried about yourself, your passengers, your car – everything might feel overwhelming. However, no matter how seemingly minor the collision was, you should do your best to follow these steps to make sure you keep everything in order. Accidents can happen, and it is always best to be ready.
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