Each year, there are more than 6 million automobile accidents in the United States!
What should you do if youāre in one of these accidents?
When you get in an auto accident, the crash is just the beginning. Here are the eight things you should do after getting in a car accident.
1. Check to See if You or Your Passengers are Injured
First, check to see if you are injured. If you are hurt, don’t moveāwait for emergency personnel. If you are able to, check on your passengers to see if they are okay.
2. Move to a Safe Location
You should get out of your vehicle if you are not seriously injured and move to the side of the road or a sidewalk to avoid additional injuries.
Don’t move your car unless you have to. If you do need to move it make sure your first take pictures and document the scene of the accident.
3. Contact Emergency Personnel
After you are safe, call 911. Let them know if there are any serious injuries.
You need to call the police no matter if it’s a big accident or a minor fender bender with minimal damage.
4. Gather Information from the Other Driver
Next you will need the following information for your accident claim. Be sure to write down the following:
- Driver and passenger names
- Insurance policy number, company, and agency
- License plate numbers
- Models of all vehicles
- Location of the accident
- Eyewitness contact information
- Responding police officer’s name and badge number
If you don’t have a pen, you can take a picture of the other driver’s insurance card. You can also text yourself the other information like phone numbers and names.
5. Take Detailed Notes
Take photos of the accident for your records. Also, the police officer should give you the accident report number. You will need this report number when you file your claim.
Make detailed notes to yourself about what happened, including where you were and what you were doing, where the other car was, how the collision happened, and any contributing factors such as the weather or other road conditions.
The process of documenting everything pertaining to the accident is essential for getting the most out of your accident claim.
- Limit Your Conversation With the Other Driver
To protect yourself, limit your conversation with the other party about the accident. You should never admit any faultāthat’s up to the police to decide who is at fault. Only discuss your accident with your attorney, police, or medical personnel.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company
After you receive medical treatment, you need to contact your insurance company or agent. If you are not injured, you can call them from the scene. They will need your accident report number so you may have to wait until the report is filed.
The contact information should be on your auto insurance ID card. Even if the accident is clearly not your fault, you should still contact your insurance company.
8. Contact an Attorney
Auto accidents can be life changing, from financial set-backs, recovering from injuries, and post-traumatic stress. If you were injured due to another personās negligence youāre entitled to seek compensation.
Remember, the claims adjuster working for the at-fault partyās insurance company is not your friend. They will attempt to settle for the lowest amount possible. Itās best to let a professional, experienced, personal injury attorney handle your claim to help you get the settlement you deserve.
Call Herrman and Herrman to Get Started on Your Personal Injury Case Today!
If youāve suffered an injury in a car crash, itās paramount that you seek damages as soon as possible. Fortunately, you donāt have to navigate the personal injury lawsuit process on your own.
Contact Herrman & Herrman today at (361) 792-3669 for a free consultation!