How to Handle the Aftermath of a Car Crash

Frequently, car rides can be very enjoyable because they allow you to go from one place to another in a short period of time. These are the moments during which you have some time for yourself and your thoughts.

But all of a sudden, this peacefulness is abruptly broken with the sound of the car brakes and you find yourself in the middle of the road accident that’s going to change your life completely. That’s at least the case with most vehicle crashes.

In these types of situations, people do not quite get a grasp of what they’re supposed to do, which is completely understandable, however, if you want to navigate everything correctly, then these are the steps that cannot be skipped.

Safety Comes First 

If you’re in the middle of the road, then it’s essential to move out of the way of traffic to somewhere safe. That’s something that’s supposed to be done as soon as possible, especially if you’re already injured, because, otherwise, you may sustain more injuries if you do not move out of the way.

Once that’s settled, it’s time to focus on your well-being. How do you feel right now? Has this accident caused you any injuries? If so, are they mild or severe? If you feel relatively okay, then check out the other passengers (if there are any).

On the other hand, if you’re too injured, then it’s pivotal to immediately seek medical assistance so they can properly evaluate your overall health situation. If you’re not able to call them, then ask someone to do this for you.

Keep in mind that this is one of the most important steps as far as this is concerned, which mustn’t be overlooked, otherwise, you may seriously put your life in danger. After all, healthcare providers are trained to help you get back on your feet relatively fast.

Time For A Solicitor 

There are so many factors that need to be taken into account and navigated in these instances, which can often be very overwhelming, especially that part when you need to interact with an insurance company.

All of this can be extremely difficult for a person who has recently been in a car accident. Although you may not think that you can deal with the aftermath right now, don’t forget that there’s a silver lining that comes in the form of a car accident lawyer, who’s here to make your life simpler, at least to some extent.

So what can they do during these challenging times? If you ask experienced car accident lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI, they’ll tell you that these legal experts are here to offer you some guidance and help you better understand your rights. And these aren’t the only benefits that come with car accident attorneys.

Since they are trained to tackle all kinds of intricacies of the legal processes, they’ll do whatever they can to make sure you get the compensation you deserve, and the most favorable outcome under these circumstances.

Regardless of how smart and resourceful you are, unless you have extensive knowledge of the law (and cases that are similar to yours), there’s no way you’d ever be able to navigate the legal procedures and many other things that cannot be avoided.

Did You Call The Police?

If you’ve been seriously injured (or anyone else who was in the vehicle with you), or you conclude that there’s a certain risk of other collisions, then it’s mandatory to call the police. They are usually equipped with life-saving tools, plus, they are able to redirect traffic to prevent any other issues related to it.

In contrast, if no one is injured, or the injuries you sustained at first glance look relatively benign, then you should contact a non-emergency local police number. Whatever the situation may be, the point is that the police must be contacted because there are certain things that they must do, such as:

1. Thoroughly investigate the accident – The police will talk to both of you (referring to the other driver), jot down every piece of information that’s perceived as relevant to this particular situation, and record everything they see at the scene. Bear in mind that everything they collect and record, that’s related to this crash can later on be used as evidence for your claim if, by any chance, you decide to file a lawsuit against the other person.
2. They’ll create a police report – This report usually contains important details about tickets issued to people who caused the car accident, blood alcohol test results, and many other things that may help them determine who’s the culprit. In some situations, they can also be a key piece of evidence.

You Need To Exchange Information

Even though the police report is crucial documentation that can give an insight into what occurred during and after the accident, it still isn’t the only document that needs to be provided in these situations.

It’s always advisable (if you feel physically and mentally okay) to take pictures of the damage that’s been done to your automobile, along with pictures of any other vehicle that was involved.

If you want to perfectly showcase everything, then you need to make sure you’ve taken pictures from every possible angle because that will show where an impact happened. All these pictures (and you can include videos too) can prove who actually caused the crash.

While you’re there, don’t forget to write down all the important pieces of information, like the name, phone number, address, and insurance information of the other party. Besides that, it wouldn’t hurt to also include information, such as auto makes and models, their license plate number, and driver’s license number.

If by any chance, you notice that there were some witnesses at the scene of the accident, then make sure to get their contact information as well!

There’s no such thing as a perfect way to handle the aftermath of the vehicle accident, however, there are certain guidelines, like the above-mentioned ones, that just may help you navigate this whole situation much better.