Being involved in a vehicle accident can leave you shaken up and disoriented. However, you will want to remain calm and try to incorporate certain activities to your "to-do" list after you've been involved in a collision. Read on to learn what steps to take after a car accident. Requirements in Case of Injury or Death If you are involved in an accident where anyone was injured or killed, you should do the following:
- Remain at the scene: Right after the accident occurs, you should stop and stay there until it's an appropriate time to go. If you leave before then, you could face serious charges for engaging in a hit and run accident.
- Provide reasonable assistance: The first priority is the health and safety of everyone involved. Make sure that those who need medical assistance, get it.
- Call the police: You must contact police for death and injury-related accidents, but you can also call the police if there is only major property damage, without any injuries or death. Ask for a police report to be filed for the accident and get the names and badge numbers of the responding officers.
- Exchange information: Exchange the names, contact information, drivers' license numbers, license plates numbers, and insurance information from all of the drivers involved.
- Report the accident: The accident needs to be reported to either highway patrol or local police within 24 hours.
- Talk to witnesses and take pictures: Gather the names and contact information from the witnesses and ask them what they saw. Take photos of any damage to your car as soon as possible immediately following the accident. The pictures will help your insurance adjuster make assessments for the compensation that you can receive for the damage to your vehicle.
- Report the accident to your insurance company: Inform your insurance company about the accident. Get a police report if there is one and go through the details of the report, in order to help determine fault. For example, it can tell you what traffic laws were broken.
- Document your medical treatment: Make a log of your doctor visits, physical therapists, and other treatment you receive. Document your meds and also your pain levels and any time off that you had to take off of work. This can help for your possible pain and suffering claims.