What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
After a car accident there are two immediate actions that you should take. First, you should assess injuries to see if movement is possible. Next, get to place of safety.
Your immediate priority is always making sure everyone's okay. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Can you move safely. Remember that spine injuries can get worse if you move the person. On the other hand, staying in traffic risking a second accident is "no picnic"!
If your car's still running and it's safe to move, get over to the side of the road and flip on those hazard lights. This keeps everyone safer and helps prevent another accident.
Stay put at the scene (it's actually illegal to leave unless you're in danger), and call the police if anyone's hurt or there's significant damage. While you're waiting, this is your chance to gather some key info - think of it as collecting puzzle pieces for your insurance claim:
Swap contact details and insurance info with the other driver
Snap plenty of photos - your car, their car, the whole scene
If anyone saw what happened, politely ask for their contact info
Keep conversation with the other driver factual and calm - avoid saying "I'm sorry" or anything that sounds like you're taking blame
Once you're free to leave, there are a few important follow-up steps. See a doctor even if you feel okay - some injuries like whiplash can show up later. Call your insurance company to start your claim, and grab a copy of the police report if one was filed.
Keep everything organized - photos, medical bills, repair estimates, insurance paperwork. If things get complicated or you're dealing with injuries, don't hesitate to talk to a lawyer.
Remember, staying calm and focused is your best strategy. Be polite but firm with everyone involved, and stick to the facts when describing what happened. Your insurance policy has your back - that's exactly what it's there for.