What To Do After a Car Accident

First off, we cannot stress enough the importance of wearing a seatbelt when you’re in a car. It will minimize your injuries in the case that you are in a collision.

A Few Reasons Why People Get into Accidents:

• Driving too fast. High speed collisions can be fatal. It is important to follow speed limits; however, extreme caution should be taken under bad weather conditions.
• Not paying attention to the road. If drivers are focused on other activities, such as talking on cell phones or putting on makeup, they are more likely to get into an accident. If you see a driver who is not paying attention to the road, try to keep your distance to avoid getting into an accident with them.
• Improper turns. It is important that you have enough space when making a left or right turn. When the weather is bad and the roads are slippery, make sure you give yourself extra space to make your turn.
• Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign. Before going through an intersection, make sure to check that all cars have stopped and the way is safe.

If you do happen to get into an accident…

• It is important that you try to remain calm. If you’re calm, you can think clearly and you will be able to better handle the situation.
• If the accident is serious, call 911 and wait for help to arrive. If you are able to, help anyone who has been injured. If the accident is not serious, you do not need to call 911, just call the police.
• If the total damages are over $1000 or someone has been injured, you must report the accident to the police.
• If you want to report a collision, and the police were not involved at the time of the accident, you have 24 hours to report it at a Collision Reporting Centre.
• Stay in your car and keep your seatbelt fastened until it’s safe to get out. It is especially dangerous to get out of your car if you’re on a highway or high-speed road, and this must be done with extreme caution.
• If you are able to get out of your car (and you have been in a collision with another driver), exchange information. Some important information to exchange includes name, address, phone number, license plate number, car make and model, and insurance company and policy information.
• Remove your car from traffic. If your car is unsafe to drive, make arrangements to have it towed.

Some additional tips to keep in mind…

• If you witness an accident, you have the option to pull over and help the victims. However, if the conditions are unsafe, you should not put yourself in danger.
• Even if the accident is minor, it is never a good idea to settle the matter without reporting it to the police or involving your insurance company. However, if you feel that it is the right decision, make sure you have all of their information (especially license plate and car make and model in case the other information they give you is inaccurate).
• It is also a good idea to take pictures of the damage to your car and theirs and take notes on the crash in order to keep a record of the incident.
• If witnesses are around and have come to help, ask if you can have their contact information – this will be helpful in the case that a lawsuit arises.
• Again, depending on the severity of the crash, you may need to contact a lawyer, especially if the other person is not cooperating or trying to blame the incident on you. Again, this is where witnesses and pictures/notes of the crash come in handy.
• If you are considering making a personal injury case about your accident, make sure you go to your doctor or the hospital immediately following the accident and keep track of any aches, pains, or other discomforts. Chances are, you’ll forget about the details.
• Seek out treatment and continue to go to your doctor.

If you happen to get into a collision, remember to stay calm and call for help. Get the other driver’s information and make sure you report the accident.

Accident benefits are available to individuals who have been injured in motor vehicle collisions. To find out more, and to discuss the specifics of your case, call our team of car accident lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.