Being in an auto accident can be an emotional experience. Your mind may go a million places, and you may be unsure how you should move forward. The way you react could determine how the rest of the process goes. Follow these steps to know how to proceed after having a car accident.
How-to Proceed After Having a Car Accident (FMAA- A)
Check for Injuries
First, after having a car accident, check yourself for injuries. If you are injured, but able to call 911, do so. However, if you are unable to do so, have someone else like a bystander call instead.
As long as you are not too hurt to move or look around, check on any passengers you have in the car. Get emergency help for your injured passengers too.
Move to Safety
If you are able to do so, move to the side of the road or a sidewalk to get to a safer spot. However, do not move and wait on emergency services to arrive if you have severe injuries. Additionally, if your car is drivable but blocking traffic or creating a hazard, try and move it off to the side. This will reduce the risk if someone else hitting your vehicle too, and clears the road. However, if it is not causing an obstruction or safety concern, leave your vehicle where it is so that the police can better evaluate the scene of the accident. You will want to off your engine and turn on your hazard lights to warn other cars that they need to slow down. It may be helpful to have an emergency car kit in the event of a car accident too.
Contact the Police
If you have not already done so at this point, call 911 to notify them of the car accident. You will want to do this whether it was a major accident or just a small fender bender. The police officer will fill out a report and document the scene. This police report will be useful to have because the insurance agency might need it when you file the accident,
Document Everything
If there is another vehicle involved in the car accident, be sure to get the other driver’s insurance information, contact information, and driver’s license number. Also, get the make and model of the other vehicle, plus the license plate number. Take photos of all angles of the accident, including far-away and close-up images.
If you are in a car accident, take these steps to make the process go as smoothly as possible. Do not be surprised if you are nervous about driving again immediately after you have an accident. It may take time before you are confident in being out on the road again.