No one gets up in the morning planning to get into a automobile accident. Auto accidents are always unexpected. Being prepared and knowing what to do after a car collision happens is very important, as well as what not to do.
Here are some things that you should do if you are involved in car accident:
- Car accidents can are can be scary. And because they can be terrifying the first important thing to do – stay calm. Do no get out of the car into the middle of the road to scream at the other driver, even if that other driver is the one that caused the car crash.
- Second, if you have passengers in your car, make sure that they are ok and not in the need for immediate medical attention. After you do that, make sure it is safe to get out of your car and you can approach the other vehicle to make sure that no one in that car need an ambulance. Be polite and courteous to the other driver and his or her passengers. This accident is just as unexpected and just as upsetting for them as it is for you.
- Third, if your vehicle is safe to drive and it is safe to do so, pull the car to the side of the road. That way the vehicles behind you can proceed forward without the accident blocking their path and creating traffic. Make sure you tell the other driver what you are doing and he or she does not thing you trying to flee the scene of the accident. Also, a lot of people believe that you must wait until the police arrive, but most of the time the first thing the officer will tell you when he arrives to the scene of the collision is to move your vehicles to the shoulder. If you have flares in the trunk of your car or a warning sign (usually a yellow or an orange triangle), use it.
After the vehicles are safely moved to the side of the road, call the 911 and report the accident to the police and wait for them to arrive. Often the 911 dispatcher will ask if there are any major injuries or if ambulance is needed. If there are no major injuries, and the ambulance is not needed the dispatcher will tell you to just exchange insurance information and be on your way. (more…)