Unfortunately, car accidents are very common events and you’d have a hard time finding someone over the age of 40 who hasn’t been in one, if not multiple car accidents throughout their lifetime.
You can be the best driver in the world, but that can’t entirely prevent you from being injured in a crash. Why? Because, there’s only so much safe and defensive driving that you can do. You cannot control what other drivers do.
For example, you can’t stop a drunk driver from running a red light. You can’t stop a teenager from texting while driving and causing a head-on collision. And, you can’t stop someone from falling asleep at the wheel and veering into your lane at 65 miles per an hour. Because cars can cover a great distance within a matter of seconds, tragic accidents can occur before safe drivers ever have the chance to react.
Step #1 Prepare Yourself
You could be in a car accident at any time, so it’s important to be prepared. This means always have your auto insurance ID card in the vehicle at all times. Or, be prepared to show proof of your insurance electronically with your phone as this is allowed under the law.
Step #2 Carry Out These Steps
In the event you are involved in a car accident, the first thing you need to do is check to see if anyone is injured. If they are, call 911 immediately. If you can drive your car, move it so it is away from traffic. If you leave it in the middle of the road, it can cause another accident as oncoming vehicles try to avoid it.
If it’s safe enough to do so, before moving the car take photos and videos of the accident scene, the weather, road conditions, and skid marks (do this quickly since it can be dangerous to leave your car on the road). If it’s not safe, take the pics afteryou move your car to safety.
Step # 3 Get This Information
After calling 911, gather the following information. If you don’t have a notepad, save the information on your smartphone:
- The other person’s driver license and license plate numbers.
- The other driver’s name and contact information.
- The name and contact number of witnesses.
- The make and model of the other driver’s car.
- The officer’s name, badge number, and contact number.
- The date, time and location of the accident.
After the crash, contact the DMV and request a copy of the police report; however, you won’t be able to obtain this information until after the investigation is completed. And, before talking to an insurance company and saying anything that could unintentionally jeopardize your claim, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC.