Whether you’ve been driving for decades or you’re new behind the wheel of a car, auto accidents aren’t always avoidable. No matter how safe and cautious of a driver you may think that you are, it’s impossible to control the actions of other drivers on the road. Another driver’s mistake or inattentiveness behind the wheel isn’t preventable, so it’s best to be prepared and ready to take action if something does go wrong.
According to the lawyers at the Jebaily Law Firm, who created this Florence, SC car accident checklist of important items you’ll want to have in your vehicle with you in the case of an accident, if an accident does occur, you’ll want to know what to do in order to move forward. Check out these 7 steps to take if you get in a car crash.
Table of Contents
1. Stay where you are and check for injuries
Many states require you to stop if there’s been property damage. Turn on your hazard lights to warn other vehicles of the crash, and check yourself and others for injuries. If someone you’re with is injured, do not move him or her. According to auto accident injury attorney in St. Louis, some of the most common types of injuries are of the connective tissue, neck, back, shoulders, head, and spinal cord.
2. Call 911 right away
As quickly as you can, call 911. Check street signs or landmarks so you can give them the correct location.
3. Speak to witnesses and get their contact information
If there are any witnesses around, take note of what they saw and write down their contact information.
4. Take photos of the scene
Make sure that before any vehicles get towed away you take photos of the crash. It’s important to get pictures from all angles of the exterior as well as the interior of the car, as well as any debris near the vehicles.
5. Jot down any notes about the accident
If you can recollect exactly what happened before and during the crash, jot it down or write a note in your phone. What were the road conditions like—was there heavy traffic? What was the weather like? How fast were you driving, and when did you see the other vehicle? Any small details will help.
6. Get medical care as soon as possible
Some injuries won’t show up right away—such as neck or back pain. Even if you don’t leave in an ambulance, it’s still so important to get checked by a doctor as soon as possible after a crash.
7. Document your losses
Fort Worth car accident lawyers mention how important it is to keep track of your losses after a crash. Keep receipts for visits to the doctor and any medical records. This is also where photos of your vehicle come in handy. Keep those readily available so full compensation is possible.
While avoiding a car crash at all costs is the goal, keeping a checklist of what to do can certainly take some of the pressure off if something does happen. Stay attentive on the roads, but be prepared to take action if a crash is unavoidable.
