Steps To Take After a Vehicle Accident

Vehicle accidents can result in property damage and cause injuries. While you may be shocked and confused after the accident, you need to follow the correct steps to get compensation. Follow the following steps if you ever get involved in a road accident.

Pull Over

The first step is to stop your car in a nearby place that is well-lit and where other people can easily see you and the driver of the other vehicle. Park your vehicle on the side of the road, even on a sidewalk, to prevent causing other road accidents.

If the damage is so great that the vehicle can't move, get yourself and other passengers to a safe distance away from the collision. Remember to turn on the emergency flashers to alert drivers of oncoming vehicles about the accident.

Stay at the Scene

If you hurriedly leave the accident scene, you may face additional charges. For example, if you are responsible for the accident and somebody dies, you can face criminal charges for causing a hit-and-run accident.

Check if the people in your car and the other vehicles involved in the accident are okay. If some of the people have back or neck pain, don't touch them until a professional medical expert arrives on the scene and asks you to move the person.

Call the Police

The next step is to call emergency medical services and the police. Calling the authorities is important if somebody dies or sustains serious physical injuries. When the police arrive, insist that they prepare an official report that details the situation. Remember to note the batch number and name of the police officers.

Explore other things that you should do when the police arrive at the scene of the accident:

• Provide accurate responses to any questions from the police officers. 
• Give your insurance information and driver's license details to the police.
• Provide the police with exact details of what happened and stick with the facts. 
• Get a copy of the police report to help you with filing your insurance claim.

Sometimes, the police might not come to the accident scene, especially if the accident is minor. In this case, you might have to go to the police station to record your statement.

Exchange Information and Take Pictures

The police report is the official record of how the accident happened. However, take pictures of your vehicle and any other vehicles involved in the road accident. The pictures should be from several angles to indicate exactly where the impact happened. The pictures should also show the license plates of the other vehicles.

Exchange information with the other driver, such as insurance details, phone number, address, and name. The other driver should also provide you details of the car model and make as well as the license plate numbers of the vehicles. If other people witnessed the accident, request them to share their details as well.

Begin the Claims Process

Ideally, begin the claims process after receiving medication for any injuries you may have sustained during the road accident. But some insurance companies encourage people to notify the insurance company about the accident while at the scene. These insurance companies may have a mobile app that allows you to take pictures and record videos of the accident scene. The mobile app often also has a location tracker that tells the insurance company of your exact location. 

Get Help

A road accident can disrupt your life and result in costly medical treatment. Spiegel & Barbato, LLP, is a personal injury law firm in New York and surrounding areas. Our lawyers have a combined experience of more than 100 years and will zealously represent you. Contact us for more information.