Many people are lucky to drive for years, without causing or participating in a traffic accident. We always strive to never participate in any. This is often a traumatic experience that we want to quickly forget, let alone imagine that we can be involved in it. Therefore, what to do after a car accident is a question that people ask when they are already in a situation.
Check if the passengers of your vehicle are injured
In general, the first thing you should do is to check if the passengers of your vehicle are injured. If you have injuries, if possible, arrange first aid, waiting for the arrival of medical staff. In a situation where there are no injuries, it is important to check the passengers in the other car to make sure they are in order.
After this is done, politely ask the driver of the relevant vehicle to allow you to check your driver’s license. Make sure that it has not expired and that it is valid for the type of vehicle you are driving. This is important because having a valid driver’s license does not necessarily mean that they are valid for all classes of cars, if they are not allowed. At this point, be prepared to deliver yours for verification too.
Remember to place warning triangles at a proper distance to minimize the likelihood of another accident. Take note of the details of the drivers, including the insurance company and the expiration dates. Be sure to register the policy number for future use.
Do not move the vehicle from the scene
Call the traffic police to come and professionally assess the scene. If you have a camera, take pictures that surround the scene of the incident, they may come in handy at some point. If not, draw a sketch of the scene for reference purposes.
After the police have arrived and conducted a preliminary investigation, be sure to report this to your insurance company. This should usually be done before twenty-four hours has passed. If it takes longer, the insurance company may refuse to be responsible. Your insurer will issue a claim number and appoint a claim officer to handle the case. This is the man with whom he will deal throughout the duration.
Assess the damage to your vehicle and, if it can be managed, take it to the next point to which it will be directed. The police should inform you if you need to stop the car for additional checks. This usually happens if there are very serious deaths or injuries.
Police reports about cars must be issued before officially reporting the problem to your insurer. The insurance company will direct you to the workshop of your choice to conduct an independent assessment to determine the extent of the damage. This is usually an internal process before deciding on the best way to resolve a claim. In some cases, someone may decide to repair the vehicle rather than follow the application process. Any agreement of this type on what to do after a car accident injury must be in writing and with a specific duration.
