What To Do After a Car Accident

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are involved in motor vehicle accidents and sustain serious injuries or deaths.  For many, it is a new experience and they are uncertain what to do or how to react.  Even if you do not experience immediate injuries requiring medical attention following the accident, you are likely to feel symptoms of high anxiety and a feeling of shock.  Despite feeling stunned and uneasy, it is important to keep as calm as possible and stay focused on what you need to do to protect yourself. 

If you are able to safely drive your vehicle and injuries are not initially reported, move your vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway.Ask for the others drivers’ drivers license and record their address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver’s license number, and license plate number.  You should verify that the insurance effective date is still current and the driver’s name matches what is on the insurance card.  If you were involved in a hit and run accident, where the other driver did not stop following the accident and you saw the license plate, record that information and call the police to report it as soon as possible. 

In many states, liability insurance is mandatory and a driver should always keep their insurance information in their vehicle.  Drivers should be aware of what their auto insurance covers.  For example, with towing and rental car coverage as part of an auto insurance policy, a driver can be reimbursed more quickly for towing expenses and/or rental car expenses.  Also, if you are a AAA member, typically your membership will cover at least a portion of your tow bill. 

Following a vehicle collision, you should never say you were at fault for the accident, even if you think you were.  The police officer will speak to the parties involved, and issue any citations for violations based on the reported facts, witnesses, and observations made. Parties involved in the accident can typically obtain the police officer’s report within a few days business days.  Be sure to call your insurance company promptly and report the accident. 

If you have a camera or cell phone with a camera, you should take pictures at the accident scene to help document the damage and circumstances of the accident.  If the police do not respond to your accident, you should still file a vehicle accident report on your state’s form, which can be obtained at police stations.  If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may wish to consider consulting with a personal injury attorney regarding your case (see http://www.findaseattleinjurylawyer.com/choosing.html )

A motor vehicle accident can be a stressful, burdensome event adversely affecting a person’s life.  However, keeping these tips in mind can help alleviate your anxiety and make the experience as trouble free as possible.