Want to hear a stunning statistic? There are over 10 million auto accidents every year in the U.S. The good news, however, is that only 3 out of every 1,000 accidents involve a fatality.
If you’re lucky enough to come out of a crash with your livelihood intact, you need to know the correct steps to take after a car accident. There are 5 key things you need to do immediately after a crash, and we’ll detail them below.
1. Check for Injuries
So you’ve just gotten into a bad accident. Your ears are ringing, your head is throbbing, and the front-end of your car looks like an accordion. The first thing you should do is check yourself for injuries.
You’re likely still in shock – the adrenaline distracting you from your pain – so be careful when you step out of your vehicle. The adrenaline could be masking a broken leg, or worse.
Once you’ve established that you’re okay, you should check on the other driver, and assist them in getting out of their car if they need it.
2. Get out of Traffic
If you’re both able to walk, you should get out of the street as quickly as possible. If you’re on the interstate or the main thoroughfare, drivers behind you may not notice the accident up ahead before they get the chance to slow down.
You may even want to pull your cars over to the side of the road if they’re still driveable.
3. Call 911
Then, you’ll want to call 911, even if you think no one is gravely injured. The police will bring paramedics along with them and they’ll be able to adequately assess the extent of your injuries on the scene.
The police will also be able to assess liability and provide a record of the accident. This will be helpful in making an insurance claim.
4. Call a Tow Truck
If your car isn’t driveable, you need a towing service Nashville to take your vehicle to an auto repair shop. If you own a BMW, your repair costs might be a little pricey.
5. Exchange Insurance Information
Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, you’ll need to exchange insurance information with the other driver. You’ll need to get their full name and contact information, as well as their insurance company and policy number.
You need to also get a picture of their driver’s license and license plate number, as well as the type, color, and model of the vehicle.
With this information, as well as the police report, your insurance company will determine who was at fault for the accident. You or the driver may get stuck with higher premiums if one of you is at fault.
Now That You Know the Steps to Take After a Car Accident…
Hopefully, this information will prove useful. These are important steps to take after a car accident that shouldn’t be ignored. If you want to save money on auto repair, you might want to check out the DIY repair section of our website.
We’ve got tons of auto repair tips, from changing brake pads to restoring old engines. You’ll definitely find something worthwhile.