In seconds, the accident can occur, but your choices following the crash could impact your health, insurance claim, finances and legal rights for weeks or months. After a car accident, it is important to know what to do to keep you and your family calm and to do the right thing.
If it’s a minor parking lot incident or a serious crash, safety must be a priority. After everyone is safe, you can start documenting what occurred, exchanging information, reaching out to your insurance company and obtaining proper medical attention.
This guide will help you understand the crucial actions you will need to take after a car accident.
What to Do After a Car Accident Immediately
Immediately after a collision, it can be confusing. Remain calm, and prioritize first aid needs.
Firstly, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If someone looks as if they have serious injuries, dial 999 for emergency services right away. NEVER move the person with a serious injury unless it would be an immediate danger to keep the person in the vehicle.
Remove vehicles from active traffic if possible, and where permitted by local rules. Set up your safety flares and find safe shelter until assistance arrives.
You might also need to call the police if the accident is serious, if anyone is injured or if there is a lot of property damage.
Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
Your health should be your first concern after any collision.
Some injuries are obvious immediately, while others may take hours or even days to become noticeable. Adrenaline can temporarily hide pain following a stressful event.
Common accident-related symptoms may include:
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Shoulder pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Abdominal discomfort
Seek emergency medical care when symptoms are severe.
Even after a relatively minor accident, consider seeing a healthcare professional if you develop unusual pain or other symptoms afterward.
Move to a Safe Location
When standing or seated close to traffic in motion, risk doesn’t necessarily end with the initial crash.
If possible, go to a safe place.
Local laws may permit or require to move a vehicle to the side of the road if it poses a traffic hazard without endangering the vehicle.
Turn on your flashing lights so that approaching vehicles can easily see where your vehicle is.
Don’t stand between damaged vehicles or near busy traffic lanes.
Call the Police When Necessary
Another important part of understanding what to do after a car accident is knowing when police involvement may be appropriate.
Depending on local laws and the seriousness of the crash, police may need to attend the scene.
Calling the police can be particularly important when:
- Someone has been injured
- A driver appears intoxicated
- Property damage is significant
- One driver attempts to leave
- Drivers disagree about what happened
- A vehicle cannot be safely driven
Police officers may document the scene and prepare an accident report.
Ask how you can obtain a copy or report number if one is created.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
After everyone has been taken to safety, share relevant information with the others involved.
Collect the other driver’s:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Address when appropriate
- Driver’s license information
- Vehicle registration details
- Insurance company
- Insurance policy information
- Model type.Car brand and year.
- License plate number
- Maintain a friendly tone and stay on topic.
Don’t get into a “he said, she said” situation when emotions are running high.
Document the Accident Scene
Evidence can be lost very easily once vehicles have moved on. Photographs can be used to capture key information.
Take photos of the vehicles from different perspectives using your cell phone.
Document:
- Vehicle damage
- License plates
- Road conditions
- Traffic signs
- Traffic signals
- Skid marks
- Broken vehicle parts
- Nearby intersections
- Weather conditions
- General accident location
If possible, take close up shots and wider shots.
Notes taken about the accident are also possible right after the event.
Note the approximate time, direction of travel, road conditions and sequence of events.
Speak With Witnesses
Drivers may not have caught sight of things that independent witnesses did.
If there is someone who saw the accident, please request their name and contact details.
Avoid forcing witnesses to give a specific account. Just gather their contact information for your insurance provider, attorney or authorities to reach out to later, if needed.
Evidence from witnesses can be especially beneficial when drivers tell conflicting stories about what occurred in the accident.
Be Careful About Discussing Fault
After an accident, it may not be immediately apparent to you what factors are causing the accident.
Don’t assume responsibility.
Some words said in a time of panic can lead to misunderstandings in the aftermath of an accident when insurance companies are examining the incident.
Rather than arguing with one another, assess for injuries, exchange information, document evidence and work with law enforcement.
Being honest with police officials and your insurance company.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Let your insurance company know about the accident as soon as practicable.
Depending on your insurance policy, there may be particular reporting requirements.
When you call your insurance company, give them the correct information about:
- At the time of the accident
- Where it occurred
- Vehicles involved
- Known damage
- Injuries
- Police involvement
You might also have to submit photos, repair estimates, medical records or other documents and records.
Get your insurance company to explain what you are covered for, what your deductible is, how it will be repaired and what you need to do next.
Get Medical Attention When Needed
After the accident, one of the things that is often forgotten is to keep an eye on your health after the crash.
There are injuries that do not immediately manifest any signs.
For instance, soft tissue injuries can cause pain and stiffness at a later stage. Prompt medical evaluation is also required with head injuries.
Seek medical help should pain become more severe, if there is a change in the pain, there are dizziness, confusion, severe headache, difficulty breathing, weakness, numbness, or other symptoms are found.
Medical records can also record the time symptoms occurred and the treatment you got.
Keep All Accident-Related Records
If you make sure you keep good records it will make life easier when it comes to insurance and repair.
Establish a folder to collect all information related to the accident.
Keep copies of:
- Police reports
- Insurance correspondence
- Medical bills
- Medical records
- Repair estimates
- Towing bills
- Rental car receipts
- Photographs
- Witness information
- Vehicle repair invoices
Additionally, if you are unable to work due to injuries, be sure to have documentation of your days off as well as lost wages.
Having all information in one place will make it easier to respond to insurers or other parties when they ask for information.
Understand Your Insurance Claim
Once the accident is notified to the insurance company, an insurance adjuster will investigate the claim.
Photographs, statements, repair estimates, medical records, police reports, and the evidence may be reviewed by the adjuster.
Question when there are any doubts.
It is advisable to make an effort to understand:
- Which repairs are covered and which are not?
- The locations where the vehicle can be repaired.
- Does the rental transportation policy cover this?
- What deductible applies
- The way medical costs are dealt with
- The time it may take to process a claim
- Never sign anything that you don’t understand.
Consider Legal Advice for Serious Accidents
There are a lot of minor accidents that are settled with insurance companies with no major issues.
But in circumstances involving severe injuries, significant damages, fault shared, uninsured motorists, or multiple vehicles, there are possible legal questions that may get more involved.
In such cases, it’s important to consult a professional lawyer to inform you of your rights and possibilities.
Details of laws, time limits, insurance requirements, and compensation benefits vary by jurisdiction; recommendations should be tailored to that jurisdiction.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident
It is as significant to know what not to do after a car accident as it is to know what to do.
Avoid leaving the scene before fulfilling any legal obligations.
Take photos of the damage and/or the other driver’s information.
Do not postpone medical attention because the accident doesn’t seem serious at the time.
It’s also a good idea to not post detailed information about an accident, injuries, insurance claim, etc. publicly on social media as the situation is still under investigation.
Most importantly, make sure all documents are in order, and make sure you submit them in a timely fashion to your insurance company when they ask for them.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what to do after an auto accident can make the unexpected and stressful situation easier to handle.
First, ensure your own and others safety from any additional injury. Look for injuries, try to move to a safe place if possible, notify the necessary authorities in case of an emergency and exchange information with all parties involved.
Take a picture of the damage, talk to witnesses, notify your insurance company and maintain records of medical treatment, repairs, and costs.
While accidents are not always preventable, being prepared can help you act in a calm manner, take care of your health and make the insurance process easier after the accident.