Every day when you step into your car, you want to believe that you will drive safely to your destination and back. Unfortunately, the possibility of an accident is also a reality that we have to live with. In the unfortunate incident of such an occurrence, the steps you take are essential in preserving life and preventing further damage to property. Bewildering as that moment is, you have to find the strength that you can muster and do the following:
Check for injuries
In any accident, the preservation of life takes precedence. Are you or someone who was with you in the car hurt? Call 911. If you’re in a position to, you can offer some first aid for minor injuries. Major injuries are better handled by experts. Trying to pull someone from a mangled wreck, for instance, can seem like helping but could end up making the injuries worse. In most cases, the ambulance only takes a few minutes to get to you, and the paramedics can take over.
Evaluate the scene
Some will advise you to leave the scene untouched until the police get there, but this is not always applicable. What if the accident poses a danger to other motorists? You can be in an accident where the cars stop in the middle of the road, risking the safety of other road users. In this case, you’re better off moving the cars to the side of the road before you have more casualties. If the accident scene poses no threat, then you can wait till the police get there.
Compile information
Document any detail that is likely to be helpful in this case. Here you can take videos and photos of the scene from different angles, so it’ll be easier for the police to pin together what happened. Takedown the details of the other people involved in the accident. Their names, phone numbers, social security numbers, insurance policy codes, and so on. Hopefully, they will be cooperative in providing this information and probably ask for the same from you.
If they prove hostile, as motorists often do when they’re at fault, you can simply take the generic details and wait for the police to handle the personal information. The police officers on site will fill the official report detailing the incident and probable causes. If the collision happens in MO, you can later access the Missouri crash report online. Access to this document is essential because it can be used as evidence if you decide to take legal action.
Contact insurance
Make your insurance company aware of the accident at the earliest convenience. Remember, one of the conditions of car insurance companies is that accidents have to be reported within 24 hours. Any further delay and your claim could be dismissed.
Do not be that driver driving around without insurance. Even if you have a car for only a short time, you can buy one week’s worth of car insurance to keep you covered for that duration.
It is worth noting here that you can also contact the insurance company of the other car(s) involved. If the owners choose not to do so, you can get in touch with them and launch a claim as a third party.
Conclusion
By all means, avoid confrontations. The accident has already happened, and road rage will only make the matter worse. No matter who is at fault, the issue is now out of your hands. Do not drive off either, no matter how minor the accident seems. Not only is it a gesture of goodwill to stop and check on the occupants of the other car, but it also keeps you out of trouble with the law. If you ‘hit and run’ are captured by the surveillance cameras, you’ll be a wanted (wo)man. You can avoid such trouble by stopping at the stage and following the steps outlined above.
