When someone gets into an accident, they can quickly get distressed. However, staying calm and following a few specific steps ensures they can ensure everyone is safe and get their claims process started.
Here are the steps everyone should follow after a car accident.
1. Examine yourself
While the CDC notes a decrease in vehicle accident deaths, minor injuries are still common and will not affect these steps. If a driver experiences significant harm, they must avoid moving and wait for assistance.
2. Check your passengers
The driver then must check their passengers. If the crash injured anyone, they should immediately call 911.
3. Move to safety
Anyone who can safely move should head for the sidewalk or roadside. The same goes for vehicles that can safely drive out of the roadway. However, drivers should leave all unsafe cars where they sit.
4. Call 911
It is essential to call the police, whether the incident was a significant collision or fender bender. The officers who arrive will document the scene and file an accident report. In cases where the crash did not injure anyone, and the police cannot make it to the location, they may ask that the drivers come to the station to file a report themselves. Either way, the driver must ensure they document the incident because this is critical to an insurance claim.
Following these steps can help people avoid unnecessary worries. In addition, if someone has issues with the insurance company, these steps can also help them have a good foundation for a personal injury case.
