What To Do After a Car Accident

If you or a loved one have been in an auto or motorcycle accident, we understand what a painful and difficult time this can be for you and your family. If you have never been in an accident before, you may be experiencing confusion as intense as your pain, not knowing what to do in the minutes, hours, and days after your accident.

Provided below we have included the most important steps to remember if you find yourself in an accident situation.

Call 911

As long as you are conscious and able, you should immediately call 911. Getting police and paramedics to the scene as soon as possible is critical, not only for the care of the injured, but also so that the accident itself and the events leading up to it can be documented and discussed.

Document the Accident

Particularly if you believe that another driver is at fault for the accident and you were an innocent victim of their actions, it is imperative to make notes regarding the accident scene. The police officer will assist, as this is part of their job, but you should not trust them to catch everything, so taking your own notes can be helpful in a courtroom or settlement situation.

Take Pictures of the Accident Scene

You likely know the expression “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and with regard to auto accident scenes, it is particularly relevant. If your phone has a functional camera, be sure to photograph the entire accident scene, including all damage to all vehicles, injuries to your body, and even tire tread marks.

Call Your Insurance Company

After things have calmed down a little bit after the accident, you will need to call your insurance company and explain the accident to them in great detail. Make sure not to say anything that might be construed as admitting liability over the accident. 

See An Auto Accident Physician

Even if you do not feel any pain or discomfort immediately following your accident, there is no guarantee that you have escaped injury-free. It is important that you make an appointment with an auto accident doctor as soon as you can after an accident, or you risk possibly losing out on monetary benefits from your PIP insurance. Auto accident doctors will also be able to not only diagnose your injuries, but also create a unique treatment plan to address your injuries at their source, and help to heal them effectively without surgery.

Additional Important Post-Accident Tips

Aside from what we have already documented above, there are a few other tips to remember in case you find yourself involved in an auto accident:

• Don't sign any document unless it's been provided by the police or your insurance company
• If you notice that the name on an auto registration is different than the driver's name, write down the relationship
• Never tell anyone that you caused the accident, even if you think you might have
• State only the facts, and minimize your discussion of the crash to the police and your insurance company
• If you can, don't leave the scene of the accident before the police and other drivers do

‍