There are many ways to prevent car accidents, but the reality is that they happen even to the most careful drivers. After an accident, you might feel shaken up, dizzy from the adrenaline, and angry at the other driver. That’s why it’s important to know beforehand what you should do in this type of situation.
The first thing you should do is to try your best to stay calm and not leave the scene of the accident. Even if you think the damages were minor, you have a legal obligation to stop. In the rest of this article, we will discuss the four most important things you need to do after a car accident.
Check for Injuries
Immediately after the accident, you’ll want to check if you or anyone else in your car is hurt. If your vehicle is still operational and interferes with traffic, it’s best to move it off the road, turn on your hazard lights and use reflective emergency triangles. If your car does not interfere with traffic, it’s best to leave it where it is for the police report.
Call 911
Even if there are no serious injuries or property damage, you should call the police to report the accident. The police can redirect traffic and write an accident report. When the investigative officer asks you what happened, make sure you give them an accurate report but don’t speculate and do not admit responsibility for the accident or say things like “I only looked down for a second.” If you don’t know the answer to a question without speculating, tell them you don’t know. Your car insurance company will need to handle your claim, and it’s in your contract not to assume liability in case of an accident.
Gather Information
After an accident, it’s easy to forget what information you need to obtain, so it’s better to get a car accident form from the DMV or local police station. This will include things like license plate number, name of the other driver, their contact information, insurance company name, and policy number.
Usually, the investigative officer will gather this information, write it in their accident report and give you a report number. Make sure you also get the officer’s name and badge number. If there are any witnesses, you should also try to get their contact information. You might need it later on.
Protect Your Rights
One of the most important things you should do after a car accident is to contact a lawyer to protect your rights. Many people hesitate to do this because they’re afraid of the cost involved. You can search for New Orleans car accident lawyer and get a free evaluation. Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they will collect payment from your settlement and you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket.
Dealing with insurance companies can be quite difficult. You want to make sure you get legal advice before giving a statement that might affect your compensation for property damage and injuries.