A car wreck is a traumatic event for many people. Even when you don’t suffer any physical injuries, it can take a while for your mind to calm down and for the adrenaline levels in your body to return to normal. These impacts can make it difficult for you to think about what steps you need to take immediately after the crash.
One of the most important things for you to remember is that you must always stop if there is a crash. If you’re in a safe spot, you don’t need to move your vehicle. If it’s in the middle of the road and you can safely move it to shoulder, that might be a good idea. Remember, your primary focus right now is remaining safe.
Check for injuries
You’ll have to find out if anyone in your vehicle has injuries that need to be addressed. If anyone at the scene has injuries, you should request paramedics come to the scene when you contact the emergency services dispatchers. You can call 911 if the accident is serious enough. When you call, be sure to ask for a police officer to come to the scene.
Gather documentation
If you aren’t injured, you can gather documentation about the car wreck. This includes the name of the other driver and their contact information. You should also get those items for anyone who witnessed the wreck. Get the license plate number of the other vehicle and the insurance information.
Cellphones make it a bit easier to gather this information because you can snap pictures of things like insurance cards. You can also take pictures of the scene and any damage that occurred to both vehicles. The more you can show about what happened, the better you might fare if you opt to pursue compensation.
Watch what you say
Regardless of whom you’re speaking to, you should choose your words carefully. Saying anything that might be considered an admission of fault can negatively impact your claim for compensation. With this in mind, you should be careful when you say anything about the crash. Try to think about how the people who hear what you say might assume from your statements before you make them. Additionally, always remain truthful about what happened by only stating the facts.
You only have three years to file your claim. It can include all the damages associated with the wreck, including medical bills and wages you missed out on earning.
