Accidents are loud, scary and often violent. They can cause costly injuries that require long recovery times, causing you to miss work.
Because you cannot prepare for an accident, it is important to know what to do in the moments following the crash.
1. Check for injuries
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries and call an ambulance for anyone who needs medical attention. If you are physically able, check the people in the other vehicles for injuries too.
2. Report the accident
You should report an accident to the police even if there were no injuries. Police will take photos, record information about the location and the scene and take witness statements as part of their official report. An official police report is very helpful for insurance claims and any possible lawsuits.
3. Stay calm
Accidents are scary and cause heightened emotions. If you do not feel you can speak to the other driver to exchange information without anger or rage, wait for the police to arrive.
4. Follow all medical advice
If you receive emergency treatment, follow through on all medical advice. If you feel new pains or headaches in the days following the accident, seek additional treatment. Insurance companies will use your medical records to verify any injuries you claim.
Unless you leave in an ambulance, you should not leave the scene of an accident until you have spoken to the police. If there are no major injuries, and you feel your vehicle is safe to move, move it out of the road to avoid obstructing traffic, but keep your car close to the site of the accident and wait for the police to arrive.
