From bumper bashings to head-on collisions that lead to serious injury, car accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. The big question is, if you were to find yourself in one, would you know how to proceed? In this article, we take a look at what you need to know about car accidents so that what to do after you get in a car accident.
Stop and Call For Help
As soon as a car accident happens, ensure that you call for help before you do anything else. Depending on where your car is positioned, you might also want to turn on your hazards to warn other vehicles. If you can, get out of the car and call an ambulance and notify the police as well. If you can't, and there are other people on the scene, they can help you contact emergency services.
You should note that sometimes it's possible to be injured during an accident and not even know because of shock. it's therefore advisable to call an ambulance even if it seems like you are fine. The paramedics will be able to tell if something is wrong and give you the medical care required.
You are required by law not to move your vehicle if you have been involved in an accident. This especially applies if there has been severe injury or death. Failing to comply with this law can be considered a criminal offense.
After you call the police, assess the situation to see if any people need help—they know what to do after you get in a car accident. Keep in mind, though, that unless you have received some training, it's not advisable to administer first aid to injured people. The best would be to wait for the ambulance and police.
Secure Kids, Pets, and Elderly People
It's pretty easy to get confused and not know what to do after you get in a car accident; you can get so distracted that you make mistakes that you wouldn't otherwise make with your pets and loved ones. Even if it's a minor accident, ensure that everyone involved is safe. Do not leave your children or pets in a locked car after the crash. You might find yourself jumping out of the car, leaving the engine running, and going to check what happened. Avoid this at all costs. Attend to your loved ones first and ensure they are ok before you go about dealing with the accident.
If you have any children with you, don't just move them immediately. They might have been injured, and you can't see the injuries yet. It's advisable to let them be removed from the seats by the first responders. They are well trained for their job, and they will less likely be at the same level of panic as yourself.
Clear the Road
Traffic can quickly accumulate, causing congestion at the scene of the accident. This will obstruct the flow of traffic and might even result in more accidents. Try as much as possible to move any cars that are blocking the road. Please note, however, that the vehicles which would have been involved in the accident should not be driven until the police arrive. Even when they do, take some pictures of the car positions. This can serve as necessary evidence later if the issue ends up in court.
Assess the Damage
When it comes to what to do after you get in a car accident, assessing the damage is one of the most important things. For the purposes of insurance, take as many photos of the accident scene as you can and from as many angles as possible. If there were other cars involved, also take close-up images of their positions and the extent of their damage.
Call Your Lawyer
it's crucial to notify car accident lawyers as soon as you can. They know what to do after you get in a car accident. If you quickly engage your attorneys car accident process will be handled professionally, and this can save you a lot of time and money if the issue ends up in court. You may also want to contact a personal injury lawyer while you are at it. A personal injury attorney will help you recover financial compensation for the injuries you or anyone you are traveling with might have sustained. Obtaining legal assistance is an integral part of getting through the accident process hassle-free.
Collect Details
When an accident involves more than one driver, it's crucial to take the other driver's information. You may also need the contacts of any witnesses. The information you will need includes the full names and surnames, home and cell numbers, physical address, and ID numbers. The final piece of data might be the most important one, which is the vehicle registration.
Doing all this is an integral part of what to do after you get in a car accident. You will need the full description of the other car(s), which involves taking down their make, model, year, and color. Additionally, take note of the names and contact details of the paramedics and police officers who attended the scene.
Finally, make a note of the exact details of the location where and when the accident happened. Get the street name and suburb if possible. Don't forget to mention in your notes what happened immediately after the accident and what you noticed.
All this information is essential, and you will need it when you submit your insurance claims. If you are eligible for Road Accident Fund, they will also need this information. There are also instances where you can claim the cost of repairs from the other driver.
Talking to the Other Driver
Determine if it's safe to talk to the other driver and whether you can do so calmly without the assistance of the police. During accidents, some road rage can be exhibited, so ensure that you take extra caution when dealing with whoever is involved. Once you have assessed the situation, and you feel it's safe to engage in conversation, secure and conceal your belongings before you leave your car, especially if you are alone.
Please note that even though it might be appropriate to engage in small talk as you wait for the police, you should be very mindful of what you say. Avoid apologizing and discussing who might be responsible at all costs. Also, try as much as possible not to express your anger toward the owner of the other vehicle. It's not wise to indicate that the other party is to blame; let the police handle that instead.
Also, don't attempt to discuss potential injuries. it's challenging to know the extent of damage that has been done in a short space of time, whether to your car or your body. If the other party tries to find out if you or those you are traveling with have been injured, just let them know you'll only see after you have received medical attention. Even if you think the accident you had was minor, some injuries might take time to manifest.
Report to Your Insurance Company
Where relevant, you will want to submit a claim to your insurance company as soon as possible. You can also do this even if you have no intention of submitting a request. This is crucial because the other driver might want to make a claim against your insurance policy.
How to File Your Car Accident Claim
Your insurance agent should generally be able to walk you through the process of filing a claim after an auto accident. Some insurance companies have mobile apps, which can come in quite handy. You can utilize this option to start the claims process. If they don't have a mobile app, they most likely have a website you can visit. Usually, insurance websites are built so that you can leave your information so that they call you back, or you can even leave the full details of the car accident.
Your part in the car accident should be to gather facts. Ensure that you don't get involved in unnecessary conversations where you might end up saying the wrong things. If anyone at the scene of the accident tries to talk you into admitting fault or suggests that you handle things without involving insurance, do not agree. it's crucial that you get all the necessary information and let the police and your insurance company handle the case.
Finding Fault
When you are done filing your car insurance claim and supplying all the needed information, the insurance company will try and determine who is at fault. That will be useful in calculating how much you should receive to cover your car's repairs or to replace it if it has been totaled.
The insurance adjusters for your insurance firm and that of the other driver will gather and analyze the facts from the accident scene. This is done according to state law, and they will then use this information to find out whose fault the accident was.
The fault analysis process varies depending on where you stay. Other states have no-fault insurance laws. In such cases, you will be required to have personal injury protection as part of your policy. This is what will cover your medical costs for injuries that occurred as a result of the accident. The personal injury protection plan will also cover any loss of income or other expenses that resulted from the accident regardless of whose fault it was.
If you live in a state with no-fault laws, insurers will use different mechanisms to determine who is responsible for the accident. For instance, some insurance companies will even calculate your percentage of fault and then use that to reduce the amount you will receive from your claim.
Other states will consider that each driver played a part in the accident; using the details available, they will calculate what is known as the degree of responsibility. If any of the involved parties decide to dispute the results of these investigations, the issue might end up in court, and a judge will have to pass a decision. If the case ends up in the courts, you will see what it's essential to know what to do after you get in a car accident.
How to Get Your Car Repaired
If you can still drive your car, and you win your auto insurance claim, take your vehicle to a car body shop to get an estimate of how much it might cost to fix it. If it was a minor accident, and you only need to cover car brake repair, the issue will most likely be resolved sooner. In most instances, an insurance adjuster would have already calculated their estimate from the insurer's side of things. If the auto body shop gives you an estimate that is above what the insurance company is willing to pay, ask them to get in touch with your insurance provider on your behalf. If all goes well, the insurance company will forward the cheque to the auto repair shop.
Some insurance companies will ask that you get at least three estimates from three different body shops. They will then take whichever shop gave you the lowest estimate and cover that.
In the case that your car cannot be driven, the insurance provider will send an adjuster, who will estimate the total cost of repairs. They will then transfer the money to you, and you can take care of the repair costs.
What if the car is "Totaled"? — If the cost of the auto repairs exceeds what the car was worth prior to the accident, the vehicle will be deemed a 'Total loss.' The insurance company will pay you a fair market value, which they arrive upon by assessing the current price of cars similar to yours according to local dealership prices.
While your car is being repaired, check online for discount car rental options so that you can move around and go about your business. This is also important when it comes to what to do after you get in a car accident.
Important Notes
Never admit liability for the car accident. This is one of the most important things when it comes to what to do after you get in a car accident. Regardless of whether you think you were to blame, don't say anything that will implicate you. When you make your police statement, only tell the police essential information. Avoid signing written statements as these might later act as an admission of guilt.
If the accident left your car immobile, and you need it towed from the scene, inform your insurance company. Avoid having your vehicle towed by any other person besides your insurance company. When the insurance company shows up, get the driver's details and make sure you know where exactly your car is being taken.
Car accidents can leave you highly confused and in a state of panic. Take some time to recollect yourself and be calm and composed before you attempt to do anything. it's essential to always know what to do after you get in a car accident. This can be the difference between a minor problem and a total disaster.
