There’s no exact science to managing the aftermath of a car accident, as you never know what type of circumstances you’ll be dealing with. However, when you have a basic idea of what you should and shouldn’t do, it’s much easier to tackle this challenging situation head on.
Here’s what you should do after a motor vehicle accident:
- Move to safety: This is an important step to take, but only if it makes sense to do so. For instance, if your vehicle is disabled or you are seriously injured, you’ll find it difficult, or even impossible, to move your vehicle to the side of the road.
- Call 911: When you do this, you know that help is on the way. A local police officer will respond to the scene to provide assistance. An ambulance will arrive to provide treatment and transport you to a local hospital. Even if you only have minor injuries, call 911 for help. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Receive medical treatment: No matter the types of injuries you have, don’t delay in receiving medical treatment. If you attempt to care for yourself at home, it could result in additional injuries and even death.
- Review the police report: When possible, review the police report to better understand why the accident occurred. This is also a good time to take notes with regard to how you remember things unfolding.
- File an insurance claim: You should take every step possible to receive compensation for damage to your vehicle, injuries and other losses. This starts with filing an insurance claim. Keep in mind that your agent isn’t on your side. They’re available to help with the claims process, but their number one goal is to settle your claim for as little money as possible. This puts you at a disadvantage.
By taking these steps after a car accident, you’ll feel better about receiving treatment for your injuries and protecting your legal rights. This isn’t something you want to deal with, but if you find yourself in this situation you need to carefully consider every move you make.
