.It doesn’t matter if you’ve had your car for years and years, or you’ve just driven it off Legacy’s lot: It is hard to think about what you need to do after a car accident. After the shock starts to wear off, it is key that you do certain things to make sure the accident is reported and your car (and the other person’s car) is fixed as soon as possible.
Here are 4 steps to take after a car accident.
- Do a health check: Check yourself for injuries. If you are seriously injured, don’t move. Ask someone to call 911 and wait. Check the well being of the rest of your passengers and try to get out of the way of traffic if you can. Then wait for help. Turn on hazard lights and make sure the engine is off.
- Notify Authorities: If no one is hurt and you’ve had the chance to move out of the way, now is the time to call the police. Whether the accident is considered a minor fender-bender or a major collision it doesn’t matter, a police report needs to be filed. Get in touch with an attorney, like a car accident attorney in Bronx NY. Also, take the time to call the insurance company while waiting so you know what you need to get the claim started.
- Document the accident: This is important to protect yourself. Get the names of the officers and get a copy of the accident report. Take pictures of the accident and your car so that everything can be shown later on. Take names of everyone involved and talk to witnesses if there were any. All information could be important in the future.
- Exchange info: Once you’ve filed the report with the police officer, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver before you leave. This includes:
- Full name and contact information
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver’s license and license plate number
- Type, color and model of vehicle
- Location of accident
Remembering these 4 steps should help you make sure you get what you need after an accident. Write them down, keep them in your glove compartment or wallet and be safe out there!
