The Aftermath of a Car Accident

There are three things you can definitely say about car accidents: they're never easy, they're always dangerous, and they can happen to anyone. In fact, experience a car accident firsthand is something likely to happen to everyone at some point in their lives.

What should you do if you find yourself in such a situation? Here are some helpful tips.

Check for Injuries

The most important thing in the immediate aftermath of a car accident is your own safety. Check yourself, your passengers, and the other drivers for injuries, then get to a safe place away from the crash site, if possible.

Regardless of if anyone has suffered any visible injuries, call 911 right away. Not only will medics arrive to make sure you're okay-it's easy for untrained civilians to miss problematic issues-but firefighters need to check your vehicles for potential fire/explosion hazards and police should be present to help everyone remain calm.

Going forward, you may need medical attention and subsequent auto injury rehabilitation. Listen to what the healthcare professionals tell you carefully, and do your best to follow their directions.

Exchange Information

In the event of a seemingly minor collision, you or the other driver might prefer to "keep the insurance companies out of it" and simply pay for any damages out of pocket. However, even "small repairs" caused by basic fender-benders can add up quickly, resulting in costs numbering several thousands.

Car insurance exists specifically for incidents like this, and it can save you a lot of money and even more stress. That's why you should always make sure to speak with the other driver and exchange information thoroughly. This includes your names, addresses, contact info, insurance company and policy number, driver's license number, and license plate number.

Also, while emotions may be high, try to remain calm. Avoid arguing over who was more at fault for the accident. Ultimately, that's for the insurance companies to decide, not you.

Document Everything

That said, it's still recommended that you keep a thorough record of the accident and everything that happens afterward, in order to protect yourself from liability or fraud. In the immediate aftermath, if possible, get the names of any witnesses on site-especially police officers-and take photos.

If you have to go to the hospital, keep copies of any resulting medical bills, injury diagnoses, and medication prescriptions in a folder afterwards. Likewise, after filing a claim keep any and all emails you send to or receive from your insurance company, and take notes during or after any phone calls.

A lot of things can go wrong in the aftermath of a car accident. One of the best ways to ensure things are made right is to know your rights and keep a close eye on the proceedings.

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