There are around six million car accidents in the United States every year. That means that there’s a good chance that you might find yourself in an accident. Getting into a car accident can be shocking and traumatizing.
After an accident, you might feel dazed, confused, and vulnerable. However, it’s very important that you take certain actions following your car accident so that you can make sure that your property, health, and rights are protected.
By knowing what to do after a car accident you caused, you’ll be able to act quickly and decisively and make sure that you’re treated fairly by the insurance companies and all other parties.
Are you interested in learning more? If you are, then keep on reading and we’ll take you through everything you’ll need to know.
1. Call the Police
In most states, you’re legally required to call the police after a car accident. No matter what, involving the police will help expedite the whole process. Once the police arrive, they’ll be able to take down your contact and insurance information as well as the information of the other driver.
The police will also take down your side of the story. When the police are hearing from the perspective of the other driver, it’s important that you don’t interrupt them, even if you believe the other driver isn’t telling the truth.
After the police get all of their information, they’ll then create a police report. Once the police report is made, it’s important that you review it to make sure that all of the information is correct and accurate.
Errors in the police report can end up causing you legal issues down the road.
2. Never Apologize
When you’re in an accident, you should never apologize to the other driver. That’s because apologizing can mean that you’re assuming guilt. Even if you believe that you caused the accident, you can’t know for sure if the entire accident was your fault.
There could have been a faulty streetlight or the other driver might have been texting while driving.
Immediately following an accident, you should make sure that everyone involved is safe. If anyone is injured, then you should call an ambulance. However, because emotions can be high at a time like this, it’s best to communicate as little as possible with the other driver.
Remember, anything you say can be used against you later.
3. Take Photos and Make Notes
After an accident, it’s important that you take photos of everything related to the accident. You should take photos of any vehicle and property damage. And if you sustained any injuries, take photos of them too.
Try to take a photo of the scene of the accident as soon as possible. An accident site can change very quickly as traffic resumes and you want to capture it before it changes too drastically.
If you experience a limited range of motion in your arm or leg, then take a video to show how much you can move it.
It’s also important that you take notes. Our memories of certain events get weaker over time. After the accident, you should write down everything that happened while the event is still fresh in your mind.
You should also include the date and time in your notes.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance agent or the company’s emergency’s claims number as soon as you can. It’s even better if you can call them from the scene of the accident. If a police officer is nearby, they can sometimes give more accurate information to the insurance because they’re not emotionally involved.
5. Talk to Witnesses
Witnesses can provide objective perspectives as to what happened during the accident. If you can, try to get a statement from people nearby who saw what happened. At the very least, you should try to get their contact information so you can reach out to them later to get their side of the story.
6. Call a Car Accident Attorney
When people get into car accidents, they can often feel confused and disoriented. In this kind of state, it’s easy to be taken advantage of. You can even be taken advantage of by your own insurance company.
By working with an experienced and reliable car accident lawyer, you’ll be able to make sure that your rights are protected and that you’re being properly defended.
A lawyer will be able to survey the scene of the accident and see if there were any variables outside of your control that might have led to the accident. They can also consult with experts and draw diagrams of the chain of events in order to paint a clearer picture of what transpired.
The Importance of Knowing What To Do After A Car Accident You Caused
Dealing with a car accident is never an easy thing to do. For many people, it can significantly impact their day-to-day lives. But by knowing what to do after an accident, whether you caused it or not, you can be more prepared and confident should you find yourself in such a situation.
By working with an experienced and highly qualified car accident attorney, you can make sure that your rights and finances are being taken care of. This can offer you and your family some much-needed peace of mind.
Are you looking for a car accident lawyer in the Tampa area? If so, then contact us today and see what we can do for you!