It’s easy to think that it’ll never happen to you, but there are millions of car accidents every year. Many of them are minor and only involve one person, but some can be deadly, affecting the lives of everyone involved. Even though they’re less likely, it’s vital to know what to do after being in a major car accident. Whether you’re dealing with it currently or acting proactively, here are the steps you should take post-accident.
Stop the Car
In most major car accidents, your car will have come to an abrupt stop. If you don’t, pull over to the side of the road and put the car in park. Whether your vehicle is mobile or not, make sure you turn it off. Accidents can cause leaks or breaks that will lead to more damage if the car is left running.
Check for Injuries
After handling this, you need to see how badly you’re injured by checking for deep cuts and breaks. If something hurts, try not to move unless you think remaining in your car can put you in immediate danger. Head injuries are the most common, but it’s not always easy to know if it’s whiplash or a concussion.
After you’ve assessed your injuries and determined that you can move, help anyone else who is in your car. Checking on the people in the other vehicle is also a good idea. Follow the same instructions for all of them that you did for yourself.
Call the Police
This is the most obvious step, but some people can forget it in the heat of the moment. When you call 911, let them know that you were in a car accident and its location. You don’t need to give them a whole synopsis, only the info they need to find you and determine which emergency service vehicles they need to send.
Figure Out What Happened
Next, you need to document what occurred. Take note of the date and time, and take pictures of the scene and damage on both cars. Find any possible witnesses and ask for their interpretation of the event as well as their contact information. After gaining all the necessary evidence, think about the statement that you will be giving the cops.
Exchange Info With the Other Driver
Now is the best time to exchange your personal information with the other driver and get theirs in return. You can make sure they’re OK but keep the chatter about the accident to a minimum, so they can’t use anything you say about it against you.
Figure Out Next Steps
After determining what to do after being in a major car accident, there are a few more things you need to get settled. Calling your insurance company, contacting a lawyer, and finding a place to get your car fixed are the main ones. However, you’ll want to wait on fixing your vehicle until after the insurance companies figure out who owes what. Determining which repair service is the best for your car is an integral part of this process.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
