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Car accidents are fairly common. In the U.S. alone, there are tens of thousands of fatal crashes every year.
The main cause? Distracted driving. Put it simply, it’s when you do other things when you’re driving such as eating or texting—basically, anything that diverts your attention from the road.
Some other causes include speeding, bad weather, and driving under the influence.
Want to know be prepared? Not sure what to do after a car accident? If so, you’re on the right page. We’ll be going over some of the essentials steps below. Find out what they are by reading the rest of the post!
A Short Guide On What to Do After a Car Accident
There are certain steps that you want to take after an accident. Here’s a brief overview.
1. Call For Help
The first thing that you want to do is to call for help. Make sure to follow the instructions given to you by the operator. Do not try to move anyone who’s injured as it can further aggravate their injuries.
It’s also important that you stay on the scene so that you can let the emergency services know what happened once they arrive. Remember, though, never admit fault for the accident—that can be used against you at a later time.
2. Collect All Necessary Information
It’s super important to document the accident. For example, it’s a good idea to write down the model, make, and plate numbers of the cars involved.
In addition to that, you should ask for the other driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information. It also helps to gather information from nearby witnesses as well.
3. Take Pictures of the Scene
The best way to preserve evidence is to take photos. For example, you might want to take a picture of the damage that’s sustained by your car.
Also, make sure to take a photo of the other vehicles that are involved in the accident. Your insurance company may ask for these images when you submit your claim.
4. File an Insurance Claim
Once everything is sorted out, call your insurance company. You want to file a claim so that you’ll be able to reach a fair settlement.
Keep in mind, however, that you may have to pay a deductible at the shop. At the end of the day, it depends on the type of coverage that you have.
For those who are curious about paying taxes on car accident settlements, check out Cogburn Law.
The Bottom Line
If anything, the most important thing is to remain calm after a crash. That way, you’ll be able to work through all the necessary steps on what to do after a car accident.
Did you find this post helpful? For more articles like this, be sure to check out the rest of our blog!
