Car Accidents Part 1: What should you do when you are in a car accident?

Millions of car accidents happen across the country every day. The irony behind this is that most of us are more concerned and prepared for accidents that are far less likely to happen than a car accident.

Do you know what to do if are involved in a car accident? What you should do after? Do you know why most car accidents occur? Being in a car accident is a traumatic experience. By saving the first of three part series blog post below, the Marin & Barrett Law firm can help you through many stressors and headaches that can affect you in the moment of a car accident and the following years to come.

Car Accidents Part 1: So you were in a car accident. What do you do first? How you behave during the next 30 minutes can impact the outcome and recovery of your future. The actions you take at the scene of a motor vehicle accident and in the days following can have a big effect on whether or not your claims are covered by the insurance company and for how much.

First: Stop and pull over. Why? First off, leaving the scene of an accident can be illegal. Two, if you and your car are in a dangerous spot after the car accident, attempt to pull it off onto the side of the road or a median to ensure your safety.

Second: Check for any injuries. Have you or a passenger in your car been injured? Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but can appear in the days that follow. Therefore, don’t shy away from calling an ambulance.

Third: Call. The. Police. The police are an extremely important key in helping to document the incident at hand. Especially when more than one car has been involved, the police can help play a neutral role in collecting and documenting all insurance, registration, and on the scene description information.

Fourth: Make it visible that your car has been in a car accident. Emergency lights on, raise your hood or set out flares.

Fifth: Ensure all the following information has been exchanged between the parties and the police that arrive on the scene.

1. Driver’s name(s)
2. Address(s)
3. Telephone number(s)
4. License plate number(s)
5. Driver’s license number(s)
6. Full auto insurance(s).
7. Give your information to the other driver(s) too, and exchange names with the police that arrive on the scene.

Sixth: Get witness(s) information. If anyone witnessed the accident, try to get their identifying information, and ensure the police have it also. Their testimony may come in useful later.

Seventh: Write down what happened to your best ability.

1. Record the weather conditions
2. Speed limit on the road
3. Your speed at the time of the crash
4. Your estimate of the other driver’s speed and other such elements.
5. Was there anything else unusual? Did you notice the other driver on their phone? Were they driving erratically?

Eighth: DO NOT ADMIT FAULT.

One of the most common themes we see from drivers during car accidents is an immediate need to apologize. Most drivers are in a state of shock after a car accident and are not aware of the circumstances to how they even were in the accident.

Legal liability can often be complex. Allow the determination of fault to be made later by appropriate professionals. Focus on ensuring your safety and that all the proper procedures above were followed.

If you or a loved one has been in a car accident in South Carolina, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or Connecticut contact our top-rated Car Accident attorneys today at Marin and Barrett, Inc for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We are available 24/7 at 888-348-2735 to review your claim and help you initiate a case if you qualify. Don’t delay, call us today.