In most cases, car accidents can be very stressful experiences, and no one is ever prepared for such a sudden and violent affair. Also, you may have trouble reacting correctly after a car accident from all the stress you’ve experienced.
Because car accidents happen so frequently, you need to know what to do in that situation. Depending on the number of injuries and the extent of the material damage, you have a few options.
We’re here to prepare you for any future car accidents. If you follow these five basic steps, you will avoid any unpleasant situations and prepare yourself for the post-accident period and the legal side of things.
Be prepared for a deposition.
If a car accident happens in complicated circumstances, you may have to undergo the deposition process afterward. A deposition represents a court hearing where all information, evidence, and witnesses are considered.
If you want to understand the legal aftermath of a car accident, you can read more here.
We advise you to have a lawyer on retainer or at least have the phone numbers of a couple of law firms on your phone, especially if you’ve never experienced a court hearing in your life. You don’t want to be looking for a lawyer at the last possible moment.
Your lawyer will prepare you for your hearing and help you answer all the questions. Depositions are not too complicated, and you shouldn’t be scared of them. Try to answer all of their questions honestly and stay calm during the process.
Now, since we have the legal side out of the way, let’s go over a few things you can do at the scene to keep everyone safe.
Check for injuries.
After an accident, you have to check yourself for any possible injuries first and then check the other passengers.
First, make sure that the youngest passengers are out of threat.
However, if any passenger is unconscious, that would be the right time to perform a CPR technique and open up your first aid kit. You may also use a first aid kit to sanitize open wounds and bandages.
If a passenger is severely hurt, you should call an ambulance and wait for them to arrive. While you wait, make sure you don’t move the passengers, as you can do additional damage to their injuries.
Get to safety.
After you experience a car accident, we advise you to move to safety to avoid further dangerous situations. Before you move aside, make sure you mark the location of the car accident with a warning triangle, so you can warn other drivers to drive with caution.
Also, make sure you turn on all 4 of your blinkers and safely leave the accident zone. Certain roads don’t have sidewalks where you can move, so act quickly and find the best possible place where you can move aside from the road.
While you wait, try to stay calm and talk to your passengers about their physical and mental state. You can also try to stop another passing car if you need an extra hand while additional help arrives.
Call the police!
Calling the police is something you must do, no matter the damage. They may need some time to arrive at the accident scene, so make sure you calmly wait for them and follow their instructions along the way.
When the police arrive, they will do an accident check-up, take pictures, and try to simulate the accident itself. They will also ask you a set of various questions. We advise you to give them honest answers so you can avoid any unpleasant situations in the future.
If you leave the accident scene, the police may think you’re at fault. We advise you to wait for the police to arrive and help them understand what happened. Also, you may experience difficulties communicating with the other driver. That’s why the police can make an objective decision about who’s at fault.
Give your insurance company a call!
This is one of the reasons why you pay so much money to your insurance companies. You should give them a call after you call the police and try to find your insurance policy. Make sure you follow their further instructions.
The insurance company is obliged to answer your call and help you with your damaged vehicle. When you talk to them, try to explain what happened and inform them about the amount of damage your car has gone through.
The insurance company will provide you with any necessary information you need to fix your vehicle. Depending on the past insurance contract you signed with them, they will also cover your damage costs wholly or partially.
Conclusion
Because car accidents represent a series of unfortunate events, it’s essential to know how to act if they ever happen. This article helped you understand the most critical steps in maintaining a safe post-accident situation. We also advise you to keep your eyes on the road and avoid driving if you’re tired or have taken any psychoactive substances beforehand!