Being involved in an auto accident can be a very unnerving experience. If you have been injured in the accident the situation becomes much worse and your continuing safety is at stake. It’s best to plan ahead for the event so that you will be prepared and know what to do should an accident occur!
1. Stay calm. This can be difficult to do, depending on the circumstances, but staying calm in the aftermath of an auto crash will help you make better decisions moving forward.
2. Assess your injuries. Determine if you are injured. If not, or if the injury is minor, check the environment outside the car to determine if it is safer to stay in the car or to exit the vehicle.
3. Move to safety. If circumstances permit, it is best to move yourself to a safe place where you will not be further injured by another auto accident. If you are on a high speed road or freeway, and can do so safely, move off the roadway and up and embankment if one is available.
4. Contact the police and other emergency services as needed. Once you are free from further potential harm, contact the police or emergency services in your area. Be prepared to tell them specific details about the location of the accident, injury status, vehicles in the roadway, etc.
5. Get details from the other driver. If you have moved out of harms way and the other driver is nearby, exchange details with them regarding your driver license, vehicle registration and auto insurance.
6. Snap photos of the accident scene. If you have a cell phone with camera capability, and it’s safe to do so, take a few photos of the accident scene for potential use later regarding your insurance claim or in court if the circumstances require a court appearance.
7. Wait for the police. Once you have assessed injuries, moved to safety, contacted the police and exchanged information with the other driver all you can do now is wait for the police to arrive and take control of the scene. The police will assess the situation, make a determination about who is at fault in the accident, and may issue a citation if one of the drivers is believed to have committed speeding offences or other traffic violations. Note: If you do receive a ticket for traffic speeding offences you might want to read more about how to fight a speeding ticket. Remember that you are far more likely to receive a citation if the city in your accident occurred has a ticket quota for their police department.
Adhering to these few simple safety tips may be the best course of action following an auto accident. Check with your insurance agency and local police department for their recommendations regarding what to do in the event of an accident.