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Statistics show that between 20 and 50 million people per year are injured in auto accidents. With numbers like that, it’s highly likely that you’ll find yourself in a car crash at some point in your life.
While you can’t predict when an auto accident will occur, you can take steps to prepare yourself in the event that one does. Thankfully, we’ve compiled this handy guide to help you stay informed about what to do in a car accident. Read on to learn everything you need to know!
Do Not Leave the Scene
Whenever you get into an auto accident, it’s critical that you stop and assess the situation. It’s not just polite to pull over, it’s the law. Failure to stop following an accident could lead to criminal charges that could land you in jail.
If you can, pull your car safely to the side of the road, where you aren’t blocking traffic. Get out of your car if it is safe, and assess the situation. Take note of the damage, or, ideally, photograph it.
Call the Police and Exchange Information
If the accident occurred in a public space, or if it’s more than a minor fender bender, then you’ll need to call the police to the scene. Police officers document and assess the scene and create reports detailing all of the conditions. If police determine that someone is at fault, they will notate that in their report and potentially issue a citation to the offending party.
You’ll also need to speak with the other driver and get their name, phone, number, and insurance information. This will help you get your car repaired as quickly as possible.
Seek Medical Attention
A car crash is a traumatic event.
When your body goes through trauma, you might not always feel the pain that an accident caused. In fact, some injuries take a while to develop. For this reason, it’s important that you not make any statements at the scene that you were not injured.
Once you are done with the paperwork, you should see a doctor for evaluation as soon as possible. If you are injured, you will need that documentation for your claim.
Call a Lawyer
How do you recover financially from a car accident?
The best thing to do is to call a lawyer as soon as possible. Lawyers know everything there is to know about dealing with the court system and the different insurance companies. Choosing to do this on your own can put your chances of compensation at risk, so hire a lawyer and do it early.
Not familiar with how personal injury claims work? This guide will help you understand it better.
Are You Prepared to Handle a Car Crash?
The possibility that you’ll get into a car crash when you get on the road is an unfortunate reality of getting behind the wheel. While you can’t always prevent a car accident, you can make sure that you know exactly what to do in the event you find yourself in one. The more prepared you are, the better equipped you’ll be to handle it.
Do you want to stay on top of the latest news about everything from personal finance to health? We can help you out with that. Check out the rest of our blog to keep informed!
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