Virtually no one expects to have a car crash once they get into a car, but the statistics say that more than 6 million people in the United States end up being involved in crashes every year. That is a large number, but then again – it also isn’t quite healthy living your life fearing the worst-case scenario. As with everything, it’s all about balance, and in order to approach this topic appropriately and to be able to take all the right steps if you do end up in a car Accident, it’s good that you know what those steps are in advance.

All of that being said, in this article, we are going to talk about the six most important tips for a person to use right after a Road Accident. Let’s dig right in.

1.Check for any possible injuries and move to a safe place

When we talk about scenarios like this, it’s pretty hard to be able to put yourself in the mindset of a person that has just experienced a car crash, and this is pretty understandable. That being said, it can be quite confusing and navigate properly after you have undergone such a scary, overwhelming thing which is why people oftentimes tend to react “irrationally”. 

So, what should be the very first thing that you do? You need to make sure that you and everyone around you are safe. Check for injuries, and if anyone is seriously injured, your priority is to call an ambulance as soon as you can. After you have made sure that everyone is safe, it’s time for you to move to a safe place beside the road.

2. Should you call the Police or not?

Now, calling the police isn’t mandatory in every state, but unless we’re talking about a minor bump – calling the police is what you want to do. Having a police report is one of the vital aspects in case you are seeking compensation by filing a claim, and once you are gone from the scene of the accident, there’s no turning back. That being said, as a rule of thumb, it’s best that you do call the police after a road accident.

3. An attorney isn’t mandatory but is incredibly helpful

Going through the aftermath of an accident can be incredibly stressful just emotionally and healthwise speaking – and if you’re filing a claim on top of that, it’s a whole nother level of added bureaucratic nightmare. As Christopher Carling, an expert on legal advice in Oakland regarding road accidents explains, auto insurance companies oftentimes tend to misrepresent or conceal your actual rights to compensation for future medical bills, lost earnings, as well as for the impact on your quality of life and emotional trauma. That being said, having a credible attorney to guide you through the process and help you get compensated appropriately is incredibly helpful.

4. Exchanging information is vital

Exchanging information with the other people involved in an accident is extremely important as you are going to need this sort of information for the insurance company. You don’t need much, just basic information regarding the number of the registration plate, their name, insurance information, and anything similar of importance. Even though this might be included in the police report, it’s better to be safe.

What you also want to do is to exchange information with the witnesses if there were any, as they are able to tell the story of what happened objectively, and that is going to help your case immensely. If possible, ask witnesses to stay until the police arrive in order for them to give statements as well.

5. Collect relevant evidence on-site

Now, we have already talked about exchanging information on-site with the parties involved in the previous tip, but that is just one kind of evidence – and the more you have the better for your claim if you do choose to file it. So, if you want to take pictures of the site, everything that you find important should be documented as a lot can be concluded from the pictures.

Secondly, you want to write or record everything down as soon as possible, as details do tend to fade over time. Lastly, if we haven’t stressed the importance of a police report enough already – make sure that you ask for a copy.

6. No injuries? Go to the doctor anyways

Last but definitely not least, let’s talk about the importance of going to the doctor. Here’s the thing, even in cases where you are feeling fine and really don’t experience any major symptoms, it’s still heavily recommended that you do go to the doctor as soon as you leave the site of the accident. The reason for this recommendation is the fact that a lot of injuries related to car accidents have a delayed response, and you don’t want to wait for such injuries to complicate over time. And secondly, your medical report is just as important as the police report! 

While navigating through the aftermath of a road accident is indeed hard and stressful, hopefully, these tips will make the entire process a bit easier. Good luck and drive safely!