The Aftermath of a Car Accident: What Should You Do?

With the sheer number of car accidents that take place every year in the United States, an estimated 5,687,000 in 2013 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one would think that almost every driver would know what to do in the event of an accident. However, in the aftermath of most accidents, many people are flustered and make poor decisions because they are either unprepared or don’t understand the relevance of certain information. Therefore, here is a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to the first few critical moments after a car accident.

Don’t

- Flee the scene of the accident. This places the blame on you, regardless of what actually happened.

- State responsibility for the accident or argue with the other driver. Not only will this solve nothing, but it may also provide evidence against you down the road.

- Forget to document what happened. Whether it means taking pictures, writing down a timeline, or noting weather conditions, it is in your best interest to remember the incident as accurately as possible.

- Talk to the opposing insurance company, sign any papers, give any damage estimates, or issue a statement until you have consulted with your insurance company or a lawyer.

- Post about the accident on social media as the information could be used against you later.

- Wait too long to contact a car accident lawyer or your insurance company. The longer you wait, the harder your claim is to prove.

Do

- Seek medical attention. Many people feel that they are “fine” immediately after the incident but report for treatment a day later. This may complicate getting proper compensation for your claim.

- Exchange contact, driver’s license, and insurance information with the other party. State laws require you to exchange this information, so make sure to do it, no matter how minor the accident seems.

- Call the police and have them record the facts in an accident report, otherwise it can come down to your word against the other driver’s. A report can often times also help speed up the claims process.

- Report the accident to your insurance agent or company as soon as possible.

- Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses as this may be useful information later on. Bear in mind that passengers in either vehicle are not considered valid third-party witnesses.

Unfortunately, this is only the beginning to the long and sometimes painful process of being involved in a car accident. If you have sustained an injury of any kind or you are not getting the compensation you deserve, it is worth it to call an attorney so they can help navigate you through the complex process. Regardless, you never know when an accident is going to happen, so have a plan and be prepared to manage all of the relevant information for a favorable outcome.