How to Manage a Car Accident
Try to stay calm., If the accident is minor and both cars are still functioning, move them off the road or to the side of the road., Check for injuries., Call the police to avoid fines., If you were in the hit car, a police report can be beneficial...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Try to stay calm.
After you’ve been in a car accident, it may seem difficult to stay calm, but it is important to keep your wits about you.
Your top priority right after an accident is to maintain the safety of everyone involved and to take actions to prevent more accidents or injuries. -
Step 2: If the accident is minor and both cars are still functioning
If the cars are not functioning and it is clear they will have to be towed, turn on your hazard lights, and exit the vehicle when it is safe to do so.
If you have flares or a warning triangle in your emergency car kit, now is the time to use them.
Put them out as a heads-up to other drivers so no one else crashes into the pile-up. , Ask every passenger in your car if they’re all right, then check on the driver and passengers of the other vehicle involved in the accident.
If needed, call for an ambulance. , Depending on what state you're in, for accidents involving injury, death or property damage above a certain amount (for example, $1,500 in Utah), you're required to call law enforcement as soon as possible.
If you’re not sure how much property damage has been caused, don’t try to be the judge; describe the accident to the police dispatcher and they will decide whether to send officers to the scene.
If not, they may just tell you to file an accident report at a local station or online. , The insurance companies of each of the drivers work together to determine liability and one of the most credible documents the insurers will use is an official police report.
If you were the one responsible for the accident, it is still a good idea to call the police because it could be that the driver you hit contributed to the accident, or there may have been factors beyond your control that reduce your responsibility. , If you are injured and want to make sure you get a fair settlement it is a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later. -
Step 3: move them off the road or to the side of the road.
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Step 4: Check for injuries.
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Step 5: Call the police to avoid fines.
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Step 6: If you were in the hit car
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Step 7: a police report can be beneficial to you when it comes time to determine liability.
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Step 8: Exchange insurance information with the other driver.
Detailed Guide
After you’ve been in a car accident, it may seem difficult to stay calm, but it is important to keep your wits about you.
Your top priority right after an accident is to maintain the safety of everyone involved and to take actions to prevent more accidents or injuries.
If the cars are not functioning and it is clear they will have to be towed, turn on your hazard lights, and exit the vehicle when it is safe to do so.
If you have flares or a warning triangle in your emergency car kit, now is the time to use them.
Put them out as a heads-up to other drivers so no one else crashes into the pile-up. , Ask every passenger in your car if they’re all right, then check on the driver and passengers of the other vehicle involved in the accident.
If needed, call for an ambulance. , Depending on what state you're in, for accidents involving injury, death or property damage above a certain amount (for example, $1,500 in Utah), you're required to call law enforcement as soon as possible.
If you’re not sure how much property damage has been caused, don’t try to be the judge; describe the accident to the police dispatcher and they will decide whether to send officers to the scene.
If not, they may just tell you to file an accident report at a local station or online. , The insurance companies of each of the drivers work together to determine liability and one of the most credible documents the insurers will use is an official police report.
If you were the one responsible for the accident, it is still a good idea to call the police because it could be that the driver you hit contributed to the accident, or there may have been factors beyond your control that reduce your responsibility. , If you are injured and want to make sure you get a fair settlement it is a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later.
About the Author
Jessica Ortiz
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow lifestyle tutorials.
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