Did you know that there are more than 6 million car accidents every year in the United States?
While accidents are more common than you might think, many drivers aren’t trained in what to do after a car accident. Who should you contact first? What steps do you need to take?
Here, we lay out the four things you need to do after any car accident.
1. Check for Safety
First and foremost, stay calm and ensure that everyone involved in the accident is alright. If anyone has any bodily injuries, call your local emergency services so that you can get medical attention to the scene of the accident.
Once everyone’s health has been attended to, move your vehicles to the side of the road and out of traffic. If that’s not possible, get them as close to the shoulder as you can and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Collect Evidence
Connect with the other driver to get as much evidence of the scene of the accident as you can. Depending on the state you live in, the causes of car accidents can help determine which driver is at fault. Because of this, it’s important to document as well-rounded a view of the accident as possible.
Take pictures of any car accident damage that occurred. Gather witness statements and write down your account of what happened as soon as you can. Be as truthful as possible when gathering these pieces of evidence.
3. Exchange Information
While talking with the other driver, be sure to exchange insurance information. Give them the make and model of your car and write down the same information for their vehicle. It may be helpful to exchange personal numbers with the other driver if you anticipate needing to contact them directly in the future.
4. Do Your Follow-Up
After the accident, do whatever you need to do to resolve the loose ends. If you were found to be at fault, certain types of auto insurance will require that you pay a deductible before your insurance will cover the rest of the repairs. If possible, see a chiropractor or other healthcare professional to make sure you didn’t sustain any injury during the accident.
If you were at fault and were uninsured or found guilty of reckless driving, you may have to look into buying car insurance or getting SR22 certificate. Click here for SR22 insurance.
What to Do After a Car Accident: Take Action
Now you know exactly what to do after a car accident. Make sure everyone’s safe, assess the damage and collect any information and evidence necessary to make an insurance claim. Do any follow-up steps you need to, and you’re well on your way to resolving any of the types of car accidents you may come across while driving on the road.
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