After a car accident, it can be difficult to concentrate on what you should and shouldn’t do due to the shock to your system. Although you may get flustered, there are a few things you need to avoid.
By knowing what to do after a car accident, you can make sure that you take care of key responsibilities to avoid compromising others’ safety, making the situation worse, or putting you at a legal disadvantage.
This is not morally wrong, but it is also a crime in many states and could result in a fine of thousands of dollars if you get caught. With most phones being equipped with cameras, there is always a risk that someone is recording you. Whether a car accident is minor or major, you must take responsibility for your actions and remain at the scene until the police arrive.
If the accident is not your fault, don’t admit any guilt. Admitting any guilt in a conversation with the insurance company or at the scene of the accident is not in your best interest. Even if you may have concluded that it is your fault, you may have misinterpreted what happened.
No matter the circumstances, admitting fault can be used against you by the other party in the accident or by their insurance company to demand that you pay damages or cause them to file a lawsuit against you.
You need to move your car out of harm’s way to keep you and your passenger’s safe. In most cases, there is a sign directing drivers to move to the side of the road after an accident occurs, and it is an important step after a minor car accident.
Leaving your car in the roadway could lead to another vehicle hitting you, causing more severe damage to your car and you. Move the car to a safe spot on the side of the road and then move on to inspecting the car.
Whether the accident is serious or minor, 911 will need to be contacted. This is an official police report that can be established with all of the facts, such as witness names, the cause of the accident, who was at fault, etc. In some cases, it is an offense to fail to report an accident in some states.
In addition to writing down everything that happened leading to the accident, including when and where it occurred, the road conditions, names and license plates of other parties, and insurance provider and contact information, you also need to take photos of the accident. Using your cellphone, take pictures of your vehicle and the other vehicles involved from various angles and skid marks or anything else important to the accident.
If you’ve been involved in a collision and need vehicle repairs, the team at Freedom Collision Center can help! Our experienced team has the knowledge and the tools they need to get your car back out on the road and looking its best.
Contact us today to learn more!
