Getting into a car accident is never a pleasant experience. Not only is your car now banged up, but you might have been injured in the process. It’s especially tough to handle if this is your first accident. You’re probably wondering what you need to do next and how to proceed. To try to help, here are all of the things you should do after an accident.
Get to a Safe Place
First and foremost, you need to make sure you’re in a safe location. Car accidents can happen anywhere, and you need to be safe in order to take the next steps. This could be as simple as pulling over to the side of the road, or it could mean getting far enough away from a car that has caught fire. As soon as you can, get you and everyone else in the car safe, then you can move onto the next steps.
Call for Assistance if You Need It
Next, you might need some help with this accident. This could include calling a parent to ask them for a ride, getting an ambulance to your location for medical help, or calling in the police to file a report on the accident. Most of us have cell phones on us these days, so take a few moments to call whomever you need, and give them some rough directions to your location.
Swap Information with Other Drivers
If someone else was involved with the accident, now is the time to swap information with them while you wait for any additional help to arrive. Assuming everyone involved in the accident is well enough, you can meet the other driver and start sharing the required information. Try to keep calm, even if the other driver is losing their temper.
The information you’ll want to get from the other driver is their name, address, phone number, insurance information, and license plate number.
Take Pictures of the Accident
Now is also a good time to take pictures of your own car, any other cars involved, and the surrounding location. Take out your phone again and snap a bunch of pictures – the more the better. You’ll want these as a record of the accident, just in case you need to bring anything to court. If you or anyone else involved became injured, you should take some pictures of this as well. Here is some more information on the types of pictures you should get after an accident.
Repair Your Car
Once all of that is done, you can head back home. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to drive your car there. In some cases, you may need to get it towed. No matter how much damage is done to the car however, you’ll likely want to get it fixed. Spend some time researching the repair shops in your area and find a good one to take care of it. You may be able to get a few scratches and bumps out on your own, but anything more extensive will require a professional.
Take Care of Yourself
Besides taking care of your car, you also need to take care of yourself. You may have been lucky enough to walk away from the accident without any major injuries, but you could still have some lingering effects. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries in the United States, and it’s not uncommon for people to experience neck or back pain after an accident. If you feel any pain at all, you should talk to a doctor. They can give you a full examine, and recommend the best course of action. If you’d like to learn more about treating pain after an accident you can visit – https://www.aicaorthopedics.com/
Talk to a Lawyer if Necessary
Finally, you may need to speak to a lawyer. If someone else was at fault for the accident, and they didn’t have insurance, a lawyer can ensure that you don’t have to pay for the repairs and medical costs yourself. Find a good car accident attorney in your area, and explain the situation to them. They will likely be more than happy to help you get the money you deserve and avoid car insurance fraud.
Don’t Panic During an Accident
After an accident, it’s common for people to panic if they don’t know what to do. The important thing to remember is to remain calm, and take things one at a time. You can’t fix everything at once, so deal with what you can when you can. If you can remember to do that, your car accident will seem a little less overwhelming.
