No one expects to be involved in a car accident, but being prepared is an invaluable precaution. If you are in a car accident, the first thing you should do is assess your physical condition. Move your body slowly to check for any injuries, starting with the head and neck. Visually inspect your legs and arms for blood and warmth or pain.
Look in the rearview mirror or any other mirror to check for cuts, scrapes, bruises or blood on your face or other parts of your body. Exchange information with the other driver, get accounts of the accident from bystanders and witnesses, take pictures of the scene, and get a copy of the police report from officers who arrive to help you. If all the occupants of your car are safe, check the drivers and passengers of the other cars involved in the accident using the same precautions. Some states are “no-fault states”, meaning that in the event of an accident, your insurance will cover you up to the specified limit for personal injury, car damage, and related claims. Even if the situation wasn't your fault, even if you have good insurance and even if you're going to be late for an important appointment, you'll want to make sure that you handle any car accident situation with care and attention. These eight important steps on what to do after a car accident are crucial to ensuring your safety, knowing what information you need to collect from the scene, and making sure you're prepared for the next steps after the accident.
If you have serious injuries from a car accident, it's important to contact an experienced attorney for useful information on how to maximize your recovery time. In particular, be sure to take the following steps immediately after being involved in a car accident:
- Assess your physical condition
- Check on other drivers and passengers
- Exchange information with other drivers
- Get accounts from bystanders and witnesses
- Take pictures of the scene
- Get a copy of the police report
- Contact an experienced attorney
- Understand no-fault states
