What Should You Do After An Auto Accident?
Posted on: 30 December 2014
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When you get into a vehicle accident, it can be a scary and nerve-wracking experience. Even if you don't have injuries, you might not know what to do next. Before you get into an accident, it can help to know exactly what to do and how to handle the situation. By following these tips, you will ensure your insurance claim is accurate and you have taken care of all the legal issues.
Get Immediate Medical Attention
Before you do anything, determine if you or anyone else in your vehicle needs medical attention. If the accident was a collision with other cars involved and you are able to walk, walk over to their vehicle and make sure they can get out and don't have a medical emergency. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away to get emergency medical attention. This should always be the first step because internal injuries can be dangerous and cause major problems.
Assess the Vehicle Damage
If you are feeling well enough to do so, take a moment to assess the damage caused by the accident. Walk around your vehicle to look for any damage to the exterior, as well as the interior if it was a severe auto accident. As you do so, gather any proof you can of the accident, including taking pictures of your vehicle, details of the damage, and the scene around you. If it was a pothole or road conditions that caused the accident, take pictures of these conditions. If it was another car, get their insurance information and write down their vehicle's license plate number. If there are witnesses, try to get their name and telephone numbers as well.
File a Police Report
Call the police to the scene of the accident if someone else has not already done so. You will need them to assess the damage and look at the conditions of what caused the accident as well. Be sure to give them as much detailed information as you can and file an accident report right then and there. If it was a minor accident, you might have left the scene, but you should still file a report. If something comes up later, you will be glad you have that legal document.
Report it to Your Insurance Company
The next person to contact about the vehicle accident is your insurance company. Inform them that you have filed a police report and give them information about the accident. They will give you information about how to correctly file a claim with your insurance company and may send out someone to look at the damage to your car. Be sure your claim is honest, detailed and includes any documentation or proof you have of the accident, the cause, or any medical injuries sustained.
If you have any issues with the insurance claim or you have severe injuries, contact an auto accident attorney from a firm like Chiacchia & Fleming LLP. They can help you with the claim and possibly sue the other party if they caused the accident.