Each year, millions of accidents occur across the world. Luckily, most of them only involve damage to the car, but some involve personal injury to the drivers and other passengers. And worse, there are accidents that lead to fatal injuries. If you are involved in an auto accident, then you should do certain things to protect your interests and yourself. This article contains top things you should do if you’ve been involved in an auto accident.
The first and most important things you must do in case of an accident are the following:
- Stop the car
- Warn others
- Park your car and turn the hazardous lights on (ideally, place a warning sign in the road)
- Call 911
- Give your contact information as well as get contact information from witnesses
Don’t leave the scene of the accident
Whatever the case is, stop the vehicle. Do not attempt to drive away and leave the scene of the accident, even if it’s a minor one. Some states across the world have very strict laws when it comes to reacting after an accident on the road. If people fail following those laws, they could face criminal charges with severe consequences. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, so you shouldn’t consider this option. The stricter the laws, the harsher the penalties.
Laws may vary depending on the type of the accident, but it’s recommended to pull over in a safe place. If you’re trying to park your car but accidentally hit someone else’s’ vehicle, the law requires you to make a rational effort and call the other driver, or leave a note with your contact number and insurance information. And also, this is not considered leaving the scene.
The driver of any car involved in an accident should immediately stop and return to the scene of the accident. If this is your case, then you should give your name, address, phone number, and the registration number of your vehicle. If any person was injured in the accident, then you might provide them reasonable assistance, including calling 911, or transport them directly to the hospital. The medical specialists will decide whether there is a need for surgeon, or any type of treatment to the injured person.
If the injured person appears unable to communicate, unconscious, or deceased, report the accident as soon as possible to the police and the emergency healthcare providers. There’s nothing left for you to do, as you’re not eligible to provide medical help in such delicate situations.
Protect the scene of the accident
Being involved in an accident and injured is bad enough. But when these injures are because of someone else’s carelessness, the experience can become truly devastating. If you’re the one injured and plan on sue the other party for your injuries, then you might consider hiring a good lawyer. You must also prove that you aren’t at fault, so bring as much evidence possible. Pictures can worth a thousand words – or thousands of dollars if you want to sue someone.
You can’t deny the reality of a pictures – the truth speaks itself. Pictures are most accurate when it comes to prove something. They show things that words can’t, so bringing pictures and videos from the scene of the accident to the jury is vital. Plus, pictures always reveal small pieces of evidence that you’re not aware of until experts start to examine them. Take as many pictures as possible, from any angle, without touching or moving anything. Videos are helpful too, since they show clearly how pictures connect to each other.
Get information from witnesses
Contact information from people who witnessed the accident is incredibly important. This can be very helpful if your case goes to trial. Even if you believe that a witness has nothing important to say, they might be able to actually give essential information regarding the accident. Even if it’s about the weather, time, and date, it’s important. So, get the contact information from each witness. Also, you might as well consider video taping the witnesses, since it’s so information to memorize. This way, you will ensure that you’re not missing any important detail after the accident. If they eventually change their stories because they’ve decided they don’t want to help you, the videos can prove the opposite.
Contact a lawyer as soon as possible
The only person who is eligible enough to provide your help and accurate information regarding what should you do after an accident is a lawyer who specializes in personal injuries. The law is complicated and can’t be understood by everyone. Your lawyer is the one who can work best on your case and help you get the compensation you deserve. If someone else considers you greedy for contacting a lawyer to get compensation, you should know that it’s your right to protect yourself at all costs. A consultation with a lawyer won’t cost you anything, as your case might not even be taken to court. But it can give you hope in the future. You might be surprised how much money you can recover – the sooner you’ll contact your lawyer, the greater the chances to begin working on your case.
You might just be one of those people who is involved in an accident because of someone else’s negligence. And now, you don’t even know what to do. The advice is simple: hire a lawyer to handle your case.
Roads are always busy with cars, buses, pedestrians, etc. And with more and more people driving cars, accidents aren’t uncommon at all. On average, on in five people die everyday on the roads across the world, and countless more severe accidents happen each minute. Hopefully, this article gives you a brief overview as to what should you do after a car accident and how stay safe while waiting for the police and ambulance.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.