It goes without saying that car accidents are horrific. Of course, nobody ever wants to experience or be part of such an experience. However, for some people, this is an unfortunate reality. So, what should you do if you are ever involved in a car crash? How you can file a claim for the damages? This guide will take you through the steps you need to carry out.
1. Stop
This is one of the most important things you can do. If you are involved in a car accident, you must not continue to drive or leave the scene. You must stop the vehicle as soon as you can, even if the accident is only a very minor one.
2. Call the police
It is a very good idea to call the police as soon as you can after a car accident has happened. You must ensure the police are informed of the accident so that they can keep the area safe and file any reports that need to be made. For example, the police can help you with your insurance by filing a police report. Also, since they are professionals and will have likely dealt with a car accident before, they will know exactly what to do, with everyone’s best interest at heart.
3. Replacement vehicle after an accident
After a car accident, you have a lot of things to think about, which can be stressful at times. Dealing with a shortage of transportation is part of that. If the collision was not your fault, you must hire the accident replacement vehicle. The cost will be covered by the insurance company of the person who caused the accident.
4. Keep flashers on
While you are waiting for the police or emergency services to come, protect the scene to avoid further accidents from occurring. You can do this by turning on your emergency lights and flashers to notify oncoming traffic and nearby drivers and vehicles of the situation.
5. Secure all vulnerable people and animals
If you have children, elders, disabled people, or pets, make sure they are attended to first. So before getting distracted and making silly mistakes (this is completely normal as you will most likely be in a state of shock, but try to avoid it), make sure your loved ones are okay. Make sure you do not leave them in a hot, locked car. However, if they are in car seats or the accident was quite large, do not remove them as they may have injuries which moving them yourself could make worse. Instead, contact emergency services as soon as possible so that they can help them.
6. Call and get into contact with a lawyer
As the saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry. So, if you have gotten into a car accident, you should definitely get into contact with a lawyer who specializes in auto accidents; click here for more information. Lawyers can help you with a range of things, from claiming insurance or defending you if you are charged by the police. So, you should immediately contact your lawyer after being in a car accident so that they can best help you.
7. Take pictures
If you happen to have a functioning and clear camera, you could do yourself a huge favor by taking pictures of the scene of the accident. Take pictures of any visible injuries on your own body and the bodies of others, as well as any damages on the vehicles. This will definitely come in handy if you need to strengthen your case in the future.