There are over 18,000 car crashes in the USA every day on average.
Some of these car accidents are thankfully relatively minor and mean that most people get to walk away with little more than a few dents in their car. However, many more are not so lucky.
If you are involved in a crash, it is essential that you know what to do just after the car accident to minimize your risk.
Read on to learn what steps you must follow after a car accident to stay safe.
Ensure Your and Your Passengers Safety
Before doing anything else after a car accident, ensure that you and your passengers are safe and uninjured. If this is the case, make sure everyone gets out of the car and away from the road. If you have high-vis jackets in your vehicle, make sure you and your passengers wear them.
Do not stay inside your car, especially if the collision is on the freeway. Broken-down vehicles can be hit by oncoming traffic, causing more significant damage and injuries.
However, if someone is injured with a suspected back injury, do not move them. They may have unseen spinal damage that could worsen if the person moves. Keep them as immobile and safe as possible until the emergency services arrive.
Call 9-1-1 and Document The Accident
Once everyone is safe, you need to make sure you call 9-1-1 as this is a legal requirement for traffic accidents in many states. Take time to document your accident. Take photos of your car and any other vehicles involved.
Do not admit any degree of fault to the other drivers. This is a legal matter, and lawyers will sort out culpability later. Admitting anything now may weaken your legal position, so best to say nothing about the accident.
Also, do not reveal your insurance limits. Simply exchange information and await the emergency services.
Speak With Your Insurance
As soon as you are able, you should speak with your insurance company and explain the situation. Soon is better as accident investigators will get reports on the event with the freshest recollections of all involved, including the police.
If the accident was minor, you might also be able to schedule a damage inspection and repair at the same time. Insurance inspectors can often come to you if you suspect the car is no longer safe to drive.
Book For Repairs
Once the insurance has been informed and performed all necessary inspections to assess the damage, you can begin getting any damage repaired.
Speak to your local auto body repair professionals to get a quote to pass on to your insurance company for the repairs. They will advise you about what damage can be repaired and check to see if the car is safe and still road-worthy.
After an auto accident, it is a good idea to get a full car service to make sure there aren’t any hidden problems that, while hidden now, may reveal themselves at a later date.
Stay Safe After A Car Accident
Your main priority after a car accident is safety. If you are on a highway or busy road, you need to make sure that everyone is clear of the vehicles involved. For everything else, follow our car accident guide, and you should be able to get yourself back behind the wheel and on the road again in no time.
If you are looking for car repairs following an accident, please get in touch and find out how we can best help you get back on the road.