8 Things to do After Getting Into a Car Accident

“What should I do after getting into a car accident?”

When you’re involved in an auto accident, serious damage can occur to you and your vehicle. To manage the situation and ensure you receive proper compensation, here’s what you should do immediately after a car accident:

1. Get to safety. First and foremost, if you can drive your vehicle without causing additional damage, pull off the road to the shoulder or to the side. If possible, get out of the car and find a safe place to call the authorities. Request that police come to the scene. And request an ambulance if you or any passengers have suffered from a major injury. You will definitely want a police report to be created.
2. Make witnesses aware. While you’re waiting for emergency responders and/or the authorities, arrange safety cones or flares to prevent other drivers from causing further damage. If you don’t have cones or flares, open the hood if possible to make your car more visible.
3. Remain at the scene. Make sure the other car(s) involved in the crash remain at the scene. If they leave or try to get away, gather as much evidence as possible, including the make and model of the car and the license plate number.
4. Take photos of the scene. Be sure to get photos of the damage to your car, as well as the other car(s) involved in the accident. Take photos of the area where the accident occurred, including details like street signs, traffic lights, and road layouts. Make a note of things like the time of day the accident occurred and what the weather was like. If you’re injured in any way, make note of that, too.
5. Ask the right questions. If possible, obtain the following information from the other driver:
   – Full name and contact information
   – Insurance license and license plate number
   – Driver’s license and license plate number
   – Make, model and color of vehicle.If the driver cannot or will not cooperate, be sure to obtain the license plate number of the vehicle. When the police have completed their investigation, obtain the name and badge numbers of the officers so you or your attorney can communicate with them in the future if it becomes necessary.
6. Tell your story. Let the officers that respond to the scene know what happened. Be honest, but never state that the accident was your fault.
7. See a doctor. If you haven’t been visibly injured, you should still see a doctor after an accident. Some injuries, like whiplash, may not show symptoms right away.  All auto insurance policies contain PIP (Personal Injury Protection) that will pay for reasonable and necessary medical treatment.
8. Contact your lawyer. Your lawyer will help you avoid costly mistakes that may result in the loss of your ability to collect what is rightfully yours. Your lawyer will know how to handle all the issues that may arise from your accident and reduce your stress at this time of great difficulty.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, contact the lawyers of Flager and Associates, PC today. Our team of experienced car accident lawyers are specialized in handling auto accident and injury cases. Call 215-953-5200 for a free case evaluation.