Road accidents can happen to anyone, even the most careful drivers. Hence, it’s something you should always be prepared for. Since dealing with a car accident can be very stressful, it is important that you remain calm, and follow all the necessary steps to ensure your safety.
Here are a few things that you must do after an accident:
1. Ensure Personal Safety
Nothing matters more than the safety of you and your loved ones! In case you get into an accident, the very first thing you should do is make sure you and your passengers are safe. If possible, move your car to a safer area or toward the side of the road to avoid further collisions.
If your vehicle isn’t working, simply step out of it and move to a safer area (make sure to check your surroundings before stepping out). Moreover, if anyone requires medical assistance, call the emergency services immediately. You might also need to contact a collision repair company to get your vehicle towed and repaired.
2. Take Pictures of the Damages
If possible, try to take pictures of your vehicle and the accident site. It’s good to have all the evidence ready to support your case of how the accident took place. Moreover, the proof also helps strengthen your insurance claim so you can receive the right compensation depending on the damages. If there was another driver involved in the accident, take pictures of their vehicle and license plate as well.
3. Exchange Details with the Other Driver
Communicate with the other driver calmly and avoid playing any blame games. The main goal is to make sure that you can get the other driver to reach a smooth settlement. You should get these details from the driver involved:
- Registration number of the vehicle
- Driver’s name, ID number, and address
- Phone number of the driver
- License number of the driver (i.e; Driving License Card)
4. Contact Your Insurance Provider
If your vehicle is insured, contact the insurance company and let them know about the details of the accident. They will provide you assistance regarding the next steps and how to file for a claim. If your vehicle isn’t insured, it’s best to get in touch with legal counsel so you can claim fair compensation for your damages.
Other than this, if this unfortunate event happened while you were on vacation or while you were traveling with your friends or family, you will need other means of transportation for the time being. You can consider getting a rental van or a car till your vehicle gets fixed.
5. Lodge a Police Report
You are required to lodge a police report within 24 hours if you’re involved in a road accident. This must be done even if you don’t plan to claim insurance as this will help you protect yourself against any unseen third-party claims. If you’re unsure about which police station to go to, a quick Google search about nearby police stations with a traffic police division can help.