The odds are not in our favor.
A car accident occurs every minute.
You read that right, every minute of every day, 365 days a year, someone is involved in a car accident.
Every 16 minutes, one of those accidents is fatal.
The likelihood of you going your entire life without being involved in a car accident is very, very slim.
You might have a better shot at winning the lottery.
Luckily, most of the time, we'll be able to walk away from the accident relatively unharmed.
Minor bumps and bruises, but nothing that should change the course of your life.
However, with the chances that you'll be involved in a car accident at some point in your life are so high, you should be prepared.
No matter how minor the accident is, it can be a very overwhelming experience.
Your adrenaline starts pumping and immediately after the wreck it's hard to figure out exactly what to do.
Several things need to be done, but we've narrowed it down to five of the most important things below.
Read on to learn more.Table of Contents:
- Make Sure Everyone is Okay
- Seek Medical Attention
- Call the Police
- Give An Accurate Record of the Events
- Exchange Information With Everyone Involved
- Bonus Tip - Photos!
- Get The Help You Deserve After a Car Accident
1. Make Sure Everyone Is Okay
This is, without question, the most important thing you need to do after an accident.
Before you do anything else, make sure everyone is okay.
This includes any passengers you had with you, everyone in the other driver's car, and any pedestrians that might be involved.
Even if someone doesn't appear to be injured, but they seem "out of it," get medical attention immediately. That could be a sign of a brain injury.
It's important to remember that not all injuries are visible. Internal injuries can be life-threatening and every second waiting to get help can make things worse.
2. Get Medical Attention
This was implied above, but it's worth mentioning again.
Even if everyone seems okay at first glance, you should still seek medical attention.
Injuries aren't always apparent right away, and it might take symptoms hours, days, or even weeks to show up.
Getting medical attention right away makes sure things don't get worse before symptoms start to reveal themselves.
Even minor accidents can lead to severe injuries that require treatment, hospitalization, or even surgery.
Bottom line, whether you're hurting after your accident or not, get yourself checked out.
There's no reason to put your health at risk.
Also, if you end up filing a claim, the extra documentation from the hospital will benefit your case.
3. Call The Police
Even if the accident is minor and everyone involved is being civil, you should still call the police.
Having a police report is critical to any claim you might try to pursue a negligent driver.
It'll also help to have a police report when you're dealing with your insurance or the insurance company of the negligent party.
If possible, keep all vehicles involved in the accident should remain as they are, unless you're in danger.
4. Give An Accurate Record
Once the police arrive, you'll need to tell the investigating officers exactly what happened to the best if your ability.
If you aren't sure of certain facts, say so.
Don't make any guesses, speculate, or misstate any facts. That could be used against you in court or negotiations.
If they ask if you're injured and an injury isn't apparent, tell them you aren't sure. Never tell them you aren't.
As we've already discussed, the pain and injuries from car accidents aren't immediately obvious, so never assume you're unharmed.
Also, while remaining civil and avoiding confrontation, make sure the statements made by everyone else involved are accurate as well.
5. Exchange Information With Everyone Involved
Even if you call the police and get a report, you should still exchange information with everyone who was involved in the accident.
Sometimes the other driver will tell you they don't want to get their insurance company involved, but you should still make a point of exchanging information.
Get everyone's name, address, and phone number along with the name of their insurance company.
Jot down the make, model, and tag number of their car, and make sure they have your information as well.
You'll also need the names and numbers of everyone who witnessed the accident.
BONUS: Take Pictures Of The Scene
This used to be a lot harder than it is today.
Now that everyone has a smartphone, there's no reason not to take pictures of the scene of the accident.
Take pictures of all damage done to all of the vehicles involved.
If you have visible injuries, take pictures of them as well.
Always remember, though, that you should never interfere with an on-going police investigation.
If it's not possible for you to take pictures at the scene of the accident to due injury or any other reason, take them as soon as you can afterward.
Preparation Is Key
If you haven't been already, you are probably going to be in a car accident at some point.
But don't worry, that's no reason to become a hermit and never leave your house and drive anywhere.
Most accidents are fender benders, and we recover quickly from them.
And, if you're prepared and you know what to do after an accident, it'll make things much easier on you.
Doing the six things we talked about above will make your life much more manageable after your accident.
If you were injured in your accident, you should also speak to a lawyer shortly after your accident.
If you end up having to file a claim for damages that occurred during the accident, it's in your best interest to have a lawyer working with you from the beginning.
If you don't have a lawyer, the fine folks at Helping The Hurt can help you out.
Click the button below for your free personal injury case review.
