WHAT TO DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT: STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
Car accidents are one of those things that you think are not going to happen to you. It’s what you read in the newspaper and turn the page with a sigh. But those who experience an accident know it can happen to anyone at any time. Regardless of how good of a driver you are, you can be the victim of someone else’s reckless driving. So, what do you do when you are in a car accident? Should you be calm, or should you take action asap? There is no one way to approach the situation because every accident is unique, and your actions depend on it. Continue reading to learn the fundamental things to be done when one is in a car accident.
Assess The Situation: The accident will be over before you know it, and it takes only a few seconds. What will keep lingering is the aftershock. Now, not every accident is fatal if you are lucky enough. So, you need to assess the situation and take matters into your own hands from there. If you are physically unharmed, it is time to check up on the others. If you have passengers in the front and back, check whether they are safe or physically injured.
- The first priority becomes the safety issues of the passengers. So, once the accident is over, make sure everyone is in good shape.
- However, if one or more people are injured in the accident and require immediate medical attention, call 911. The doctors will reach the spot as soon as possible and take care of the victims.
- At times, after an accident, you might feel all right, but there can be internal damage or bleeding. Therefore, it is best to get tested and check out whether you suffered any sort of internal damage or not.
Gather Information: Many people are victims of hit and run, where a vehicle bumps into another’s car and runs away. It is not hard getting information about such criminals. If your vehicle is in the running, you may chase him down to note his car number and hand the number to the police. However, if you don’t have a chance to note down his car’s number or get his driver’s license, note down the type of car the criminal was driving. You can describe the car and its color to the police, who can recover the vehicle number by checking the CCTV footage for you. Police often check out the CCTV installed in shops and other establishments overlooking the road for criminals.
Compensation: Once the criminal is identified, it is time to pay up. He must pay for the damage done to the vehicle as well as bear the medical costs of hospitals. Sometimes, getting money from the insurance company might not be easy. But with the right legal assistance, you will be fully compensated. For example, a victim may look for car accident lawyers in Lakeland, FL, and hire an attorney to represent them in court. The lawyer knows what to do in such a scenario. They will provide their client with the best possible deal to ensure their client is not cheated. The criminal should fully compensate the victim’s medical bills, hospital bills, and vehicle repair bills.