Being involved in a car accident, whether it’s a minor or major collision can be extremely stressful. There are a bunch of things you need to prepare yourself for if this unfortunate act occurs. Being ready is the ultimate solution for such a harrowing situation. Let’s look at what you will have to deal with following a car accident and what you should do immediately following one.
The Steps
The accident has happened. What do you do now? Make sure you are stopped. Do not flee the scene regardless of what driver is at fault. If you fail to stay at the collision site, you could be criminally prosecuted. If it’s a small accident, move your car to a safe location to not block traffic.
Turn on your emergency/hazard flashers to let other drivers know of the situation if you are unable to move your car. You don’t want to escalate things by having multiple accidents. The police will want to look at the scene and investigate. Most importantly, remain calm. Try and focus so you can tell your side of the story when the time comes.
If you have passengers in your car, see if anyone has been injured in the accident. If you have a small child in a car seat, don’t take them out of it. They might be suffering from injuries that you can’t see. It’s best and safest to let passengers (young or old) stay in the car where they are. After assessing things, call 911 if people in the accident are injured. Get ready to give out the information dispatchers will need to know. Stay on the line until the operator says that it’s okay to disconnect. Inform the police of who is at fault or if drinking and driving was the result of the accident.
When it’s safe to do so, exit your car to look at the damage. Take photos and videos that include the scene, the condition of the road, and the damage done to the cars. Record any specifics that can be helpful when dealing with the police and insurance company. If there are witnesses, you can even have them say things on video on your behalf.
Gather as much information that you can on the other driver, passengers, and witnesses. This includes names, contact information, license number, car details, and insurance company details. This will inevitably help with your insurance claim later. If you don’t call your insurance company from the scene of the accident, make sure to call them as soon as you can.
When everything has been accounted for and you aren’t able to drive your vehicle, call for a tow truck to get it to a garage. It’s important to have a mechanic check all the operating systems to ensure that any potential damage is revealed. Automotive service shops and car dealership service departments use multi-point inspection forms to go through all the mechanical systems of the vehicles to make sure everything is in good working order. If you operate an automotive service business and are looking to purchase Multi-Point Inspection Forms, consider MBR Marketing at: https://mbrmarketing.com/service-department/service-and-parts-forms/vehicle-inspection-forms.
Other Tips
Emotions tend to run high after a car accident, but it’s vital to stay cool under pressure.
You might be very tempted to do so, but don’t fight with the driver of the other vehicle. It will only make things worse, and you want things to run as smoothly as possible during this difficult time.
Don’t put your name on anything that claims you are responsible for the accident (unless dealing with the police). Some people try to bully you to admit guilt or defraud you in some way. Keep a level head and only take the advice of the police or your insurance company.
Don’t be pressured into using a tow truck that is not authorized to do so. Some tow trucks might show up after an accident offering their services to you. It’s advised that you call for a tow truck that you know or that your insurance company recommends.
Things to Have in Your Vehicle
You now have an idea of what to expect after a car accident, but it’s a great idea to have things kept in your car for the unexpected. This is where preparation comes into play. The following are things you should have in your car all the time in case something surprising happens.
- Booster cables
- Bottled water
- Emergency equipment like warning triangles, flares, and cones
- Flashlight and additional batteries
- Hand wipes
- Non-perishable food items
- Paper and pen
- Thermal blanket
- Tool kit
- Towels
- Work gloves
These are all great items to have on hand in your car for a variety of reasons. Feel free to add to the list what you think would work best for you in uncertain situations.
In Conclusion
Ideally, we would never have to deal with hardships like accidents, but unfortunately they happen every day. If you are involved in one, isn’t it better to know what to expect? Having insurance on your vehicle is also a way for you to be prepared for a collision. Having the right coverage is crucial so make sure that you explore all your options with your insurance company.
You know to take your car into an auto repair shop so the mechanic can tell you how much the damages will cost. Depending on how extensive, you might have to look into getting a new vehicle instead of repairing it.
Other than that, make sure to take care of yourself. Get seen by medical professionals. Due to shock, sometimes injuries don’t announce themselves for a couple of days. Accept the appropriate help and care for your needs.
If you are prepared before an accident happens, you will thank yourself. Although it’s a hassle to deal with this sort of thing, it will be less of a headache if you have everything under control before the unfortunate circumstances happen.
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