A car accident isn’t something anyone ever wants to be involved in. However, as with many other things in life, it happens regardless of our wishes or wants. Even though you can only be a careful driver and you can’t make other road users careful if they don’t want to be, it’s important that you’re always at alert so you can easily spot people who are being reckless. There is the colloquial advice that you should always assume that you’re the only sane motorist on the road. As extreme as that might sound, following that advice could potentially save you from many serious issues.
If after all your caution and alertness you however still find yourself in an unwanted situation, you need to stay calm and assess the situation properly without panicking. Panicking makes you irrational and sometimes, the things you do on impulse cannot be corrected. So, if you’re ever involved in a car accident, here are somethings you should consider doing.
Always Stop
Regardless of the severity of the accident, it’s important that you stop and do not run away from the scene of an accident. If you do that, law enforcement could easily assume that you’re culpable. This is the first thing to make sure you do.
Assess the Situation
Depending on the severity of the situation, the next step to take might generally vary. If the accident is a serious one and someone has been injured, its important to immediately call for medical help. Do everything you can to save the life of an injured person but be careful especially if you’re not a medical professional so you do not aggravate the injury. If you’re the one with a serious injury and you can, call for medical help.
Speak to a Lawyer
One of the most important things to do if you have been involved in an accident is to talk to your attorney. This is important to do even before you speak to your insurance company. A lot of the time, the insurance company is in a hurry to take witness statements immediately there’s an occurrence. When you first speak to a lawyer, you can be advised on different issues regarding what to do next and how to handle the insurance companies. The next time you or anyone you know is involved in a car accident, immediately speak to the good people at Johnston Law Firm, P.C. for appropriate legal advice.
Call the Police
You might need a police report when there’s an accident. Most insurance companies won’t even entertain any requests for claims without a police report. A police report might also be needed even if there’s no damage and therefore no need to inform your insurance company. You might have been on your way to an important event and would need to document the reason for your lateness. You might even need it to avoid a frivolous lawsuit from the other party involved.
Take Pictures
Do not interfere with regular police procedure but if you can, make sure you take pictures of the scene immediately after the accident. This can help an insurance claim but also serves as evidence in case something happens and the event is blown up way out of proportion.
Remember these points for the next time you’re involved in an accident. Always remember to be as calm as possible throughout the whole time as your calmness would help you stay out of trouble and make better decisions.