Numerous accidents occur daily around the world, unfortunately. The reasons are numerous – from the sudden breakdown of the car to the unintentional fault of the driver or any other reason. Even though sometimes all the precautions are taken, the risk still exists.
That is something that every driver is well aware of the second they get a license. However, even though accidents cannot be in any way predicted, there are still some things that can be done after to simply control the damage as much as possible and handle it the best way it can be handled. If you are not familiar with all the things that you should do, keep reading.
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What needs to be done right after the accident?
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When you realize that you gave been involved in an accident, the most important thing is to stop and check all the participants for injuries, including yourself. See if there is any risk for fire and make sure that you protect the place of the accident, especially if it is dark. A flashlight will also come handy, so the other drivers can notice you faster. After that, it is necessary to call the police who will come and make the report. This report will be crucial for filing a claim to the insurance company.
Provide all the information about the accident
You need to tell the police everything that happened according to your understanding. The information you provide should be as accurate as possible and if you are not sure about something, inform the police officer about it. You should not say any misleading things that you are not sure of. The best thing is to provide a description of the situation and answer the questions the best way you can. If there are some vague things that you simply are not sure of, explain everything honestly. The job of police officers is to write a detailed report that will help the further development of the process.
Take pictures
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If there is any damage to the car that is visible, you can take pictures of those damages. In case you have certain injuries, make sure to take pictures of the injured places as well. However, keep in mind that you should not do it while the police officers are doing their job. If they are already on the scene, you should wait until they are done. All the pictures you take will be valuable evidence later that you can show to your insurance company and get adequate compensation. Make sure you take as many pictures as you can, because the more pictures you have, the easier it will be to prove the damage.
Write down the information
After the initial part is over, the police officers will take all the information from the participants in the accident. In case the police don’t come to the place of the accident, it is necessary to ask for the names of the participants, their telephone numbers, as well as their insurance information. If there are witnesses, you should take their information too. Their opinion will also be important for determining the way the accident occurred.
Ask for medical treatment if necessary
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Accidents often involve various types of injuries. Some can be apparent, while others are not. You should get yourself checked after the accident even if you feel fine. Sometimes being in a state of shock can prevent you from feeling any pain. You should be checked out by a physician who will assess your overall condition and give you the treatment if necessary. All the injuries should be adequately treated. After you receive the treatment, it is necessary to keep all the reports, so you can show them to the insurance company and get adequate compensation.
Inform the insurance company
You should gather all the reports and give it to your insurance company, so they are fully familiar that the accident happened. They should see the police reports, the reports from the hospital as well as the statements of the witnesses. They will also discuss with you the condition of your car and the damage that is caused by the accident. It is their duty to assess the cost of the repairs and to take further steps so that you can be adequately compensated.
You should know that every insurance company will try to decrease the amount they need to pay. Even though they have contracts with the users, they will always try to pay the least amount possible. If you are not familiar with the ways you can negotiate with the insurance company or you are uncomfortable with it, then it is best to consult someone who is more experienced in this area. This leads us to the next step.
Consult the attorney
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People are usually not familiar with the rights they have when it comes to being involved in a car accident. If that is the case with you, then it is best to consult the attorney who will be able to guide you and fight for your rights. This is certainly something you shouldn’t miss because failing to consult someone experienced with these issues can prevent you from getting the adequate compensation you need to get.
After these steps, you just need to wait and see how the situation will evolve. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you should definitely keep in mind that you are entitled to a certain amount of money and you should fight for it. Keep in mind that each step should be done in a timely manner. Failing to react promptly may cause issues in the process. Keep all the documentation in check, so you can provide each document easily when necessary. If you have received medical treatment, make sure you have everything written down. Every detail matters and can mean the difference between a successful payout or a problematic process.
References:
https://www.servetheinjured.com/when-do-i-need-a-car-accident-lawyer/
