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Car Accident Checklist: The Steps To Take After A Car Accident

In the United States, it is estimated that there are around six million car accidents every year.

Car accidents can leave a person feeling traumatized, disoriented, and vulnerable.

This is why it is so important that you have a car accident checklist.

That way, if you happen to get into a car accident, you won’t have to think about what to do.

You’ll already know exactly what steps you’ll need to take.

Even if you are the most cautious and defensive driver out there, you simply cannot account for the other drivers and obstacles on the road.

That is why you need to be prepared, no matter what.

Car Accident Checklist: The Steps To Take After A Car Accident

Are you interested in learning more?

If you are, then keep on reading and we will take you through everything that you need to know about what to do after a car accident.

1. Stop and Pull Over

In every state, it is considered a hit and run if you leave the site of an accident that you were involved in.

If you get into an accident, you need to stop your vehicle and pull over to the side of a road or into a nearby parking lot if possible.

You want to do your best to make sure that you don’t simply sit in the middle of the road.

Otherwise, you could end up blocking the flow of traffic and even cause another accident.

You then want to check yourself over and see if you are injured. If you’re seriously injured, then you should call 911.

You should also go over to the other driver and make sure that they are okay.

2. Call the Pollice

If you are both okay, then you should call the police. In every state, you need to call the police after an accident if someone is injured or if there is a certain amount of damage done.

To be on the safe, it’s a good idea to call the police.

3. Take Photos

Immediately after an accident, it is hard to think clearly.

And you might have a hard time remembering everything that happened right after the crash.

In a safe manner, you should pull out your phone and start taking pictures.

Take photos of the scene of the accident first. An accident site can change quickly as normal traffic resumes.

Take photos so you can see where the debris landed and what the area looked like.

Also, take photos of all of the damage to your car and the other person’s car.

Take photos of any injuries that you might have sustained as well.

If you end up with a limited range of motion in your arms, neck, or legs, then take a video demonstrating this.

You should also pull out a pen and sheet of paper and write down everything that happened.

Then, date the page and add the time too.

4. Don’t Talk to the Other Driver

After a car accident, emotions tend to run high. No good will come from getting into a screaming argument with a stranger.

It’s best to just keep to yourself and talk to the other driver as little as possible. Just talk to them to make sure that they aren’t hurt.

Wait for the police to arrive and talk to them.

Also, no matter what, you should never apologize or say that you are sorry. If you do this, this will imply that you are guilty.

Remember, anything that you say in this kind of situation can and will be used against you.

Also, you don’t know all of the facts.

Even if you think the accident was your fault, the other driver might have been texting or a traffic light might have been broken.

You simply do not know all of the information.

Car Accident Checklist: The Steps To Take After A Car Accident

5. Talk to the Police

When the police finally arrive, you will get to give them your side of the story.

If you happen to hear the other driver giving their side of the story and you disagree with it, do not interrupt them.

Instead, wait for your turn and tell the police how you perceived the events to transpire.

6. Call Your Insurance Company

You should call your insurance company and let them know that you were in an accident.

They may be able to set you up with a rental car and towing if your car can’t be driven anymore.

However, make sure that you don’t give them more information than they need.

It’s important to note that the insurance company will do its best to make sure that you get as little money as possible from them.

7. Call a Car Accident Lawyer

Your insurance company will likely try to underpay you after an accident.

When you contact an experienced car accident lawyer, you will make sure that you have someone on your side who is fighting for you.

They will do their best to make sure that you get as much money as possible.

After all, your lawyer won’t get paid unless you get paid.

Using This Car Accident Checklist

Hopefully, after reading the above car accident checklist, you now have a better idea of what to do after a car accident.

A car accident can be a scary time. But by following the checklist above, you should be able to protect your health and your rights.

Are you looking for other helpful articles like this one? Check out the rest of our site today for more!

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