Getting involved in a car accident can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. It is crucial to know what steps to take immediately after the accident to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights. Here are the essential actions you should take if you find yourself in a car accident:
Tips On What to Do If You Get in a Car Accident
1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
After a car accident, it’s important to stay calm and composed. Take a deep breath and assess the situation. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is seriously injured, call for medical assistance immediately.
2. Move to a Safe Location
For safety reasons, you should leave your car where it was after the accident, unless it is an instant threat to other drivers. Tell the other driver that they should not move their car until the police come. The location of the cars after the crash is the most important piece of evidence the police use to figure out who was at fault. Photos of Your Car: You should always take pictures of all the damage to your car before getting it fixed. You can take pictures of the other car and the scene as well if you keep a “instant camera” in your glove box.
3. Contact the Authorities
A lot of the time, there are no witnesses, and you and the other driver may have different ideas about what happened. If you don’t ask the cops to look into what happened, you could hurt your chances of getting full compensation or even be blamed for an accident that wasn’t your fault. In other words, if an accident isn’t your fault, make sure the cops are called. This makes sure that all drivers involved will have to write down how the accident happened before they can “reflect.” You can make the “at-fault” driver write down an admission of fault for you at the scene of the accident if they don’t want the police to be called. This should explain how the accident happened and who is responsible for it. This should have their name, the date, and the time and place of the crash written on it. Call the cops if they refuse! If there are no injuries and no damage to any of the cars worth more than $700, the police in the state of Washington are not required to file a report. Also, if the accident happens on private land, like in a parking lot, they don’t have to write up a report.
4. Gather Information
A lot of the time, witnesses to a crash are gone by the time the cops arrive. Because of this, it is very important that you find any witnesses to the crash and write down their names, addresses, and phone numbers. In case the driver who caused the accident later tries to change their story, these outside witnesses are very important for showing who was at fault.
Exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver involved in the accident. Collect as much information as possible, including their name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance information. If there are any witnesses, obtain their contact information as well.
5. Document the Accident
Take photos of the accident scene, including the damage to the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries. These photos can serve as evidence during the insurance claim process. Additionally, write down the details of the accident, such as the time, date, location, and a description of what happened.
If the accident is being looked into by a police officer who makes a report, you do not have to file an accident report in the state of Washington. You can, however, make your own report if you want to or if you don’t agree with what an officer says. You have to send your report to the Washington State Patrol in Olympia within four days of the accident. If you can’t, it’s still better than not sending it at all. Always keep a copy of the report you send in case you need it again later.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with the necessary information and cooperate fully during the claims process. It’s important to understand your policy and know what coverage you have.
It’s likely that the other driver’s claims investigator will be put in charge of your case before you can hire a lawyer. It could happen as soon as one or two days after the accident. Most of the time, the insurer will ask for your permission to record or write down a statement. As long as you aren’t planning to hire a lawyer, you shouldn’t say anything to the other driver’s insurance agent. What you say to the other driver’s insurance company can really hurt your claim. This is very important if a police report has already been made. You should instead tell the agent that you have hired a lawyer and tell them to send any further questions to your lawyer. Your lawyer will be able to answer the right questions. But you should call your insurance company right away to report the crash. Tell them what happened and give them the names of any witnesses. Then ask that a PIP claim be made so that your hospital bills can be paid on time.
7. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel any immediate pain or injuries, it’s advisable to seek medical attention after a car accident. Some injuries may not be apparent right away, and a medical professional can assess your condition and provide necessary treatment. Keep records of all medical visits, treatments, and expenses related to the accident.
As soon as possible, go to the emergency room of the closest hospital or see your own doctor. If you don’t fix an injury, it may get a lot worse. An insurance agent may think that you weren’t really hurt and deny your claim if you don’t go to the doctor or if you wait too long to do so. Often, even a week’s wait is too long. Don’t just think you’ll “be okay”; get checked out!
If someone is really hurt, you should call 911 or the cops and tell them you need an ambulance. As much as possible, make the hurt person comfy, but don’t move them unless you have to in order to keep them from getting hurt more.
8. Consult with an Attorney
If you sustained serious injuries or the accident resulted in significant property damage, it may be wise to consult with a personal injury attorney. An attorney can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you seek fair compensation for your losses.
9. Keep Records
Keep a detailed record of all the documents, receipts, and communications related to the accident. This includes medical records, repair estimates, rental car expenses, and any other relevant paperwork. These records will be essential when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action.
10. Be Cautious with Insurance Settlements
If the insurance company offers you a settlement, be cautious before accepting it. Consult with an attorney to ensure that the settlement adequately covers all your damages, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The claims adjuster may also ask you to sign a form giving them permission to get your medical or work records. This will let them look at your medical or wage/time loss records. Do not sign these kinds of papers before talking to a lawyer! The insurance assessor can get your private medical records and bills if you do this. They can also ask for special reports or even talk to or meet with your own doctor! If you want to file a PIP claim, you must sign a medical permission form for your own insurance company. Always keep a copy of the completed PIP application and signed authorizations. Also, tell your company not to give any medical or other information to the other driver’s insurance company without your permission.
Remember, getting into a car accident can be a traumatic experience, but knowing what steps to take can help alleviate some of the stress. Stay calm, prioritize your safety and well-being, and seek appropriate legal and medical assistance if needed. By following these guidelines, you can protect your rights and navigate the aftermath of a car accident more effectively.
