Car Accident? What to Do After the Fact – Guest Post

Car accidents are an inescapable fact of life. Car accidents so often result in injuries, property damage, and other legal actions following the accident. While car accidents can lead to a stressful situation, there are a few things you can do to relieve the stress. Read on for the best steps to take after an accident.

Stay calm

Right after a car accident, it’s essential to stay calm and assess the situation. Do your best to take some deep breaths or close your eyes while you wait for help to arrive. Though it may be tempting to panic, that will only make the situation worse. It can also startle those around you if you had any passengers or even the people in the other vehicle, causing the panic to just keep rising. Keeping a level head is the best way to get through this stressful time.

Call Police

Calling the police is another important step to make in the wake of an accident. Even if you have no visible injuries, it is always important to call the police after a car accident. In some states, it is illegal not to. The officer will take down your story, and will give you the contact information of the other driver involved in the accident. If possible, get their insurance info before they leave the scene of the accident. This information will be especially helpful later on when you put in an insurance claim for the damages done to your vehicle.

Document Everything

If you’re in an accident, it’s important to get the details down while they are fresh in your mind. According to a car accident lawyer, it’s best to write down the other driver’s name, license plate number, and insurance information. If you see anyone that witnessed the crash, ask them to share what they saw. Take photos of your car and the surrounding area if there is visible damage such as skid marks on the street or sidewalk. If you document everything while it is fresh, this will help clear up any possible confusion that might arise or any possible lies being told.

Call the Insurance

After an accident, it is crucial to contact your insurance company and report the incident. They will ask what happened, how much damage was done, who caused the accident, and how many people were involved. This information will help them assess the situation and give you an idea of what they can do to help. They will likely want you to file an incident report and ask for a statement from anyone who witnessed the crash. This is where all the information you collected before comes into play and helps your situation.

Getting into an auto accident can be extremely distressing and stressful, but if you know what to do in those moments after the accident, it’ll be easier to handle. Keep this information in mind in the event of a car accident. Remember, record as much information as you can and handle everything one step at a time to not get overwhelmed.