Vehicles have been around for longer than anyone remembers, and as a society, we’ve reached
a point where they’re a necessity. Whether we’re talking about a trip to the store or going on
vacation with our family, you’re probably considering taking your car.
With the number of vehicles on the road, accidents can happen, and they’re becoming
increasingly common these days. No one wants to experience one, but it’s important to know
what to do if you get into a crash. The first steps are crucial, so it’s essential to know them.
Check for Injuries
The first step after getting into an accident is to check yourself for injuries. Sharp pain, bleeding,
or blurred vision accompanied by dizziness means you’ll need some medical assistance. Calling
an ambulance, if possible, is the best course of action in this situation.
If you’re not seriously injured and not traveling alone, the next step should be to check the
passengers. The same rules apply here: ask them if they’re in pain, check for bleeding, and
assess the situation.
Even if you’re not sure about some pain or a specific situation, it’s best to still call an ambulance
just to be safe.
Make Sure the Environment Is Safe
Depending on the severity of the accident, there are several ways to create a safe environment.
If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights to alert other
drivers of the situation. This is in cases where it’s a minor accident, and your vehicle is in a
driving condition.
One important aspect to keep in mind is knowing the rules about this. In some states, you’re
allowed to move the vehicle, while in others, you’ll need to leave it as it is when the police arrive.
With larger accidents where the vehicle isn’t operational, your only action would be to leave it
and move to a safe location. Getting behind a barrier on the highway or on the sidewalk if you’re
in the city will ensure you’re not harmed. In these cases, you may not be able to turn on the
hazard lights, which is where a reflective triangle comes into play. Position it ahead of the
crashed vehicle so that drivers know that there’s a reason to slow down.
Call the Police
The next step is to call the police, and this is a crucial one. Whenever you get into an accident,
you’re required by law to report this so that the officers can come and make a report. There are
some states where it’s not mandatory, so it’s another aspect that will depend on the location.
Calling the police isn’t just for the officers to document the accident. They’ll do that to create a
report, one that will later be useful to you for reporting the accident to your insurance company
to make a claim.
Gather Information and Document the Accident
Even though you’re calling the police for the accident, collecting all pertinent information is a
good idea because it can be used later on in the process. You’ll want information about the
other parties involved, including personal and contact information, insurance, and vehicle
details. You should also write down the accident’s location, date, and time.
Sometimes, having a witness can help, especially if the accident is not your fault. Not everyone
will gladly accept being your witness, so approach this carefully. If someone accepts, you may
want to get some contact information. This is for those “just in case moments,” so it won’t
necessarily mean you’ll need to.
Documenting the accident is the second part of this step and is another crucial one. While the
police officers will make a report, it’s a good idea to document the scene, which can come in
handy later on when filing a claim and having problems determining who’s at fault.
Get Checked
The first step was to check if you were injured. Not noticing anything at that time doesn’t mean
you shouldn’t seek medical attention. In some situations, you may not notice something’s wrong
immediately, but it can cause some problems later on.
Once the entire process at the crash site is complete, you should get a checkup and have your
condition evaluated by a doctor.
Consider Hiring a Professional
We often think we can do things ourselves, but it’s not always a good idea. Some people have
been dealing with accidents for a long time, and letting them take care of everything might be a
wise choice.
If you’re a truck driver, reaching out to a professional can help you navigate the process
smoothly and ensure you and your rights are protected.
Getting into an accident is not something that any of us wants to see. With that said, it can
happen, and knowing what to do after that is essential.
