What to Do After a Car Accident

When you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being in a car accident, there are a few things you should do. Taking these steps will ensure you protect yourself. Here is a list of things you should do as soon as possible after a card accident.

• Stop Your Car

Whether you got hit or someone hit you, stop your car. This is actually the law and if you drive away, it can be considered a hit-and-run. Even if you do not think any damage was done, you need to stop anyway.

• Avoid Admitting Responsibility

You may have clearly hit someone’s car from behind. However, do not admit fault. Your car insurance contract forbids you to claim responsibility in a car accident. You are far better off letting your car insurance company deal with claims.

• Call the Police

Regardless of the severity of a car accident, call the police. You want to make sure there is an official police report describing the accident. An account, as stated by a police officer, carries more weight than your account or any eye witness account, especially if those eyewitnesses are people you know. 

• Assess Any Damages

You should immediately identify whether you or anyone else requires urgent medical attention. If anyone needs it, make sure 911 is notified as soon as possible. Every moment counts and may mean the difference between life and death. If it was a minor accident, you can proceed to take photos of the damaged areas of your vehicle to have them documented for your insurance claim.

• Injuries You May Get From a Car Accident

Cars have plenty of safety features on them these days, but they are still dangerous. With over two million people injured every year in the United States alone, there is a significant risk of getting injured while driving. Cars are the leading cause of sustained injuries in the United States. Most car accidents are benign fender benders. However, you can get injured in several life-altering ways.

Some of the most common injuries related to cars are the following: 

• Injuries involving the back and head, such as brain injuries, herniated discs, spinal cord damage, and concussions.
• Injuries involving the chest and neck, such as whiplash and cardiac arrest.
• Injuries involving appendages and extremities, such as torn ligaments, broken bones, and severed limbs.
• Emotional distress after a serious automobile accident, even if no physical injury occurred. This is true for both individuals involved in an accident and witnesses of an accident.

• Wrapping Up

No matter how minor a car accident is, you should follow the same steps. You should always stop your car, never admit fault, always call the police, and assess any damages or injuries. When you take these steps, you ensure that you are protected and taken care of. Driving a car comes with a risk. Stay vigilant out on the road so you can avoid becoming another statistic.