What to do after a car accident?

Answer 1

If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately.

If everyone is okay, let the other drivers information first. You need their name, driver's license number, insurance information, and license plate number.

You also need to take photos of the damage and the position of the vehicles at the time of the accident, including any relevant road signs or marks on the road.

After a car accident, you should always seek out an attorney before you talk to the other driver's insurance company. What you tell them could mean the difference between paying nothing or paying thousands of dollars. Consult a lawyer first.

Answer 2

Being involved in a car accident can leave you shaken and disoriented. It is important to know what to do during this stressful time so that you do not make any mistakes that you might regret later. Your actions immediately following a car accident can have a dramatic impact on the way the accident is viewed by the participating insurance companies. If you do everything properly, you could avoid misunderstandings that could lead to incorrect assumptions that may cost you dearly in the long run.

Check for Injuries

The very first thing to do when you are in a car accident is to check everyone for injuries. If you are injured, do not try to get out of the car. Wait for emergency professionals to get to the scene and determine what to do next. If anyone else is injured, keep them immobilized until an ambulance arrives. Anyone who has not been injured in the accident should move to the side of the road so that there are no further accidents with oncoming traffic. Leave the vehicles in the road where they stopped moving so that the police can create an accurate picture of how the accident happened.

Call the Police

The next step is to call the police. Inform them if there are any injuries so that they will send the appropriate emergency vehicles. Even if the accident does not seem to severe, you should make sure that the police come to investigate the scene. The police report is an important part of your case when you are making claims with your insurance company. Cooperate with the police as much as possible so that your side of the story is understood. Do not apologize or admit guilt while you are relating the facts to the police. It is up to the officers to decide if there was anyone at fault.

Exchange Insurance Information

Make sure you get the other driver's complete insurance information. Write down the insurance company, agent name, and the full name of the driver. You should also make a note of the make, model, and year of the other car involved in the accident. Your insurance company will need all of this information when you call them to tell them what happened. Once you have exchanged insurance information, you should call your insurance agent and tell them all of the facts about the accident. The agent will be able to tell you what your next steps should be.