subject: 10 Things to Do After an Auto Accident [print this page] 10 Things to Do After an Auto Accident
1.Just take a deep breath. Get calm and try to relax. We know how hard this is. After a crash, a person may feel a wide range of emotions shock, guilt, fear, nervousness, or anger all of which are normal. But take a few deep breaths to calm down. The calmer you are, the better prepared you will be to handle the situation.
2.Check for injuries.Life and health are more important than damage to vehicles. When in doubt or if you have suffered an injury call 911 for help or an ambulance.
3.Keep yourself and others safe. If you can't get out of your car or it is not safe to try keep your seat belt fastened, turn on your hazard lights, then call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
4.If the accident is minor and there are no serious injuries, move cars to a safe place, rather than risk being in moving traffic.
5.Call the police, even if the accident is minor. For insurance and legal reasons, it is important to have an accurate and official police report on file.
6.Don't sign any document unless it is for the police. Give only the necessary and requested information to the police. Do not volunteer your personal condition, mental frame of mind, or anything unrelated to the accident. This will help guard against post-accident legal actions.
7.I cannot stress this enough, but make immediate notes about the accident including the specific damages to all vehicles involved. If the name on the auto registration and/or insurance policy is different from the name of the other driver,establish the relationship. Write all this down.
8.Get witness names and phone numbers, people who saw the collision will stop for a short time, but usually leave before the police arrive. Other motorists, passengers or pedestrians can be critical witnesses, so be sure to get their names and phone numbers.
9.Be polite, but never tell the other drivers or the police that you think the accident was your fault, even if you do. Likewise, do not accuse the other drivers of being at fault at this time. Everyone is usually shaken up immediately after an accident, and it is wise to state only the facts. Limit your discussion of the accident to the police and your attorney. Even if the facts are embarrassing or detrimental to you, be truthful.
10.If you have a camera or camera phone handy, and it is safe to do so, it may be helpful to photograph the accident scene. It is a good idea to keep a disposable camera in your glove compartment in case of emergencies.
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