What to Do if You’ve Been in a Car Accident

Getting in a car accident is something we all hope to avoid, although it’s not always possible. Even when we drive our best and take all the necessary precautions, we can’t control the way other people on the road drive. You may be the best driver around, but you could still wind up in the middle of an accident. Below are the steps you should take if you are ever in this situation so that you can get the assistance you need.

Assess the Damage

The first thing you want to do is assess any damage done to you and to the car. If you feel any serious pain anywhere in your body it may be best to stay still in case you’ve been injured. However, you should also assess the vehicle, because staying put isn’t always the safest route. If you smell gas leaking or see fire, do your best to get out of your vehicle if you can. Agitating an injury is less likely to kill you than your car being engulfed in flames.

Call 911

Once you’re safely out of your vehicle, you should proceed to check on anyone else who was involved while calling 911. Use your cell phone to call for emergency services and report the accident while assessing the rest of the scene. It may be best to wait for EMTs to arrive before attempting to help someone who has been injured, although certain circumstances may call for your assistance if you are able to give it.

Take Photos

For insurance purposes you will want to take photos of the accident. This proves the damage that was done your vehicle and can help you out should you wind up in court. Car accident lawyers will want to have as much evidence as possible should you need to press personal injury charges against someone else or should they press charges against you.

Talk to the Police and Submit Your Claim

You will need to stick around and give your report to the police. They will take down all of the necessary information about the accident and work with your insurance company once you’ve submitted an insurance claim. This will help you to get damages on your vehicle repaired or to replace your vehicle if it is beyond fixing.