5 Steps to Take After a Vehicle Accident
Millions of vehicle accidents happen in the United States every year. If you are unfortunate enough to be in a vehicle accident, you may suffer injuries and other consequences. These consequences can be greater if you don't take some steps immediately after the accident.
Read on to learn what you should do if you are involved in a vehicle accident.
1. Check for Injuries
You should quickly check yourself and the other vehicle occupants for any injuries. If you can't do the checking, ask a nearby person to check you and the other vehicle occupants.
Also, check people in the other vehicle or even passersby who were part of the accident. If your injuries are serious, remain still and wait for help.
2. Call Law Enforcement
Most states have laws that require reporting all accidents that result in injuries or death. The regulations may also require reporting if the accident is a DUI or hit-and-run. Hence, dial 911 to contact law enforcement officers and report the accident. The investigating officers will come to the accident scene and help the injured.
The law enforcement officers will also write a report about the causes of the accident. Ensure that you have a copy of the report and confirm if it indicates who was at fault. Also, confirm that the investigating officer has recorded the insurance information of all the involved parties. Furthermore, document the officer's details, including the officer's name and badge number.
3. Exchange Information
You should also exchange information between yourself and the other driver. Avoid the temptation to solve the problem among yourselves since this can land you in trouble later on. Instead, only provide the most necessary information, and don't admit guilt until after you have talked to a lawyer. Ideally, you should only give out your insurance details and name.
On the other hand, the other driver should provide you with specific information to assist in processing your claim. Make sure that you record the driver's contact details and full name. Also, examine the other driver's license and take a picture. Don't forget to note the model, color, and type of the other vehicle.
4. Document the Crash
Even if the investigating officers document the crash, you need to document the crash as well. Here is what you can document:
- Pictures of your vehicle and the other driver's car
- A picture of the other vehicle's license plate
- Time and date of the vehicle accident
- Names and contact details of witnesses
Also, write personal notes on what happened during the accident. You can even draw a diagram to illustrate the accident.
5. Notify Your Insurer
You can reach out to your auto insurance provider before you leave the accident scene. Many insurance providers have mobile apps that can pinpoint your location and enable easy processing of your claim.
In addition, the insurance provider can advise you on what information to collect from the accident scene. Some insurance providers also help with towing your vehicle away.
6. Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles
Whether you have to notify the department of motor vehicles depends on your location and the severity of the accident. The notification will be in the form of an accident report that you prepare in a specific format.
You don't have to notify the DMV immediately, but some states have a reporting deadline. Check your state DMV website for the exact details.
Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you got injured as a result of a vehicle accident, reach out to Wegner & Associates. We are a personal injury law firm that deals with many types of personal injury cases, including auto accident injuries. Contact us today to get started.