7 Things to Do Immediately Following an Auto Accident

An accident can happen anytime or anywhere. No matter the fault, an accident is not a pleasant experience for anyone. Whether the accident happened in a back road or on a highway, in a heavy rainstorm or the Florida sunshine, it is always a best to follow certain steps to ensure that the accident is handled properly and safely for all involved parties. Follow these important steps to handle an accident as best as possible.

1.) Call 911

Assess the damage suffered by yourself, your loved ones, or anyone else involved. If any harm is serious enough to be an emergency, call 911. This is the top priority no matter who is involved or who caused the accident.

2.) Take Pictures

Whether you take pictures with a camera or with a camera phone, document the scene. This will not only be helpful to your insurance agency, but it will also be a handy tool for remembering the facts of what happened. Take pictures of any damages on both the outside and the inside of your car, and any injuries of you or your loved ones. Document everything before you begin to move your vehicles. This includes writing down every detail about the weather, exact time, and any other detail that you may find helpful.

3.) Put Everything On the Side of the Road

If everyone is healthy enough to move and the cars suffered minimal damage, move the cars to the side of the road. This could prevent more accidents from happening by unprepared drivers and this step could prevent any more damage to your car. This comes after the photographing the scene for accurate documentation. With everything and everyone safely off of the road, it is safe to continue to the following steps.

4.) Call the Local or State Police

Prepare yourself even before an accident and make sure you have the phone number of your local or state police saved in your phone in the case of an accident or police attention. These contacts are different from calling 911; for 911 is for emergencies only, while calling your local or state police can lead you to reporting the accident. When they come on the scene, have the details that you wrote in the past step handy for accurate documentation.

5.) Exchange Information

While on the scene, exchange information with any other involved parties. Important information for beneficial documentation is the license, vehicle registration, license plate number and state, and insurance information. Be sure to copy it down accurately. Keep a look out for any individuals that may have witnessed the accident. Be sure to exchange information with them as well so they can be possibly interviewed by the police later.

6.) Call Your Insurance Agent and Attorney

Call your insurance agent so they can be aware of the accident. Do not place any blame on the other party and do not accept any blame. The fault of the accident should be determined by the insurance agent. Do not forget to call your attorney and give them every detail. If you feel that the insurance settlement was unfair, the attorney will be able to help you receive a fair settlement or agreement.

7.) Call a Tow Service

If you feel that your car has been damaged to the point where it cannot be safely driven on the road, call a tow service to have it removed and repaired.

Contact an Experienced Lawyer Today

Following these steps will save any hassle or problem you may encounter later on. When all of these steps are completed, you will find that things will easily fall into place. Do not forget that the most important part is to make sure that you, your loved ones, and anyone else involved are safe. For more information on what to do after an accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today. Our experience can guide you before, during, and after an accident.