There are few things worse than getting into an accident in your vehicle, especially when it was not your fault. Unfortunately however, these things can occur, and very often do, so it is important that you understand what you should do in the event of a car accident.
Three years ago I was involved in a collision when a truck ploughed into the back of my car, thankfully I wasn’t injured too badly, but it was a difficult experience to go through. I wanted therefore to talk a little bit about what you should do if it happens to you, in the immediate days and weeks following the incident.
Straight Afterwards
As soon as the incident has occurred, the first thing you will need to check is injuries both on yourself and any passengers in the car. Assuming everyone is ok, next you should check the position of the vehicle, if it is drivable, move it out of harm’s way. Speak with the driver of the other car, check for injuries and make sure that the car is also moved from danger.
Next up you should call the police, the police don’t need to attend every RTA but calling them to see if an officer is required is good practice.
Swapping Details
Next you should speak with the driver of the other vehicle, and swap insurance and personal details. You should also review the cars together and agree on the damage that has been caused, as well as speaking to any witnesses who saw the event.
Collecting details is very important, especially if there has been foul play. After my accident I worked with a Los Angeles trucking accident lawyer, who was able to do his work more effectively because of the amount of details I had collected. Be sure to write down as much info as possible, as this can help with insurance or legal claims.
Calling Insurance and Recovery
You need to call your insurance at your earliest possible convenience, as well as arranging recovery for your vehicle if you have that cover in place, if not speak with a local garage if your car is not drivable. Make sure that you tell the insurance company everything about the accident that took place, and arrange for a courtesy car if you have this cover.
Driving
Even if the car is drivable, it makes sense to contact a friend or family member to come and collect you. An accident can be a traumatic experience and even if you think that you feel fine, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid driving.
Medical Help
Assuming that you don’t need immediate medical attention, it is important that you consult a medical professional shortly after the accident, to ensure that there are no minor injuries. Problems such as whiplash and concussion may not show signs until a few days later, so it is important that you have an exam to make sure that you are 100%.
Keep all of this in mind, and should the worst ever happen, you will know exactly what to do.
