Car Accident--What Next?

One thing that many of us never want to consider is what to do if we do actually get involved in a traffic collision. Especially in the Season of the Summer Driving Vacation, many of us would much rather think about the trip itself or, better yet, the destination, than worry about the "inconvenience" of a car accident.

But car accidents happen.

That's why we call them accidents. Whether what occurs is your fault or someone else's fault, you need to be ready. You also need to be prepared to accurately summarize what happened to a police officer, insurance adjuster, or witness, and know how to preserve and document some key potential evidence.

And if you are not prepared for the aftermath, you could be making a difficult situation even more stressful.

Several basis "musts" should be observed by anyone who drives a car.

Here is what you should have with you in your car at all times:

• Your automobile insurance card, with current periods of coverage, emergency numbers to report claims, and, if possible, a copy of your policy listing what coverage you have (medical payments coverage, amount of deductible etc.). For a more comprehensive explanation of insurance coverages, please consult our prior blog posts, newsletters, and other information on our website, our blog, or our archived newsletter section on our website.
• A camera or smart phone equipped with a digital camera.
• A set of traffic cones, flares, or other devices to warn traffic of an emergency situation.
• Bad weather gear, such as boots, gloves, hats, sweatshirts, and the like, just in case you are stuck outside your car for awhile in rain, wind, or snow.
• A copy of your health insurance card and coverage information. It is always important to have this with you just in case you, or a family member, is injured and needs emergency treatment.

Here is what you should do if you are involved in a motor vehicle collision:

• Check on yourself, your passengers, and people in other vehicles to make sure there are no dire medical situations that you recognize, such as unconscious individuals, people in obvious severe pain, or people unable to move from their positions.
• Check to make sure there is no imminent danger to anyone else--make sure you check for gasoline spills, smoke, fire, or vehicles blocking lanes of traffic.
• As soon as you are able to do so, start evaluating yourself for any injuries you notice. If you do feel dizzy, ill, or have difficulty walking or standing, get as far away from the vehicles and lie down.
• Evaluate anyone else who appears to be hurt and ask them if they are okay or want to have medical treatment. If they seem confused or unable to respond, that means they need medical treatment.
• If you are able to do so, call 911 or ask someone at the scene to do so.
• Take photographs of the vehicles involved, the scene of the collision, and any obvious injuries to yourself or others. This may seem grisly, but it can help "prove" not only how a collision occurred but also whether certain injuries occurred as a result of the incident. Never underestimate the motivations for insurance companies to deny what may seem obvious to you at the time!
• DO NOT have any discussion with the other drivers about how the collision occurred.
• DO ask the other driver for his or her automobile insurance information. If he or she will not provide it to you, ask the police officer to obtain this. Either way, unless you leave in an ambulance, make sure someone is actively obtaining this information. Exchange your auto insurance information with the other driver(s).
• When the police or emergency vehicles arrive, make sure you provide a complete and accurate account of your version of how the collision occurred. If the officer advises you to travel to a police station to make a report, make sure you do so and advise the other driver(s) that you are going there and invite them to join you there/meet you there.
• Get medical treatment as soon as possible. If you are not removed by an ambulance, but notice pain or discomfort shortly thereafter, make sure you seek emergency treatment as soon as you can. Waiting may not only cause you to endure needless pain and/or allow serious medical conditions to go undetected, it can also be used against you in the event you try to recover for your injuries.
• Contact a Personal Injury lawyer as soon as you can. A quick phone call to an experienced injury lawyer will help guide you through what can be a bewildering process.
• Report this to your insurance company as soon as you can. Your policy requires you to do so and failure to report it within a reasonable amount of time will void your coverage!

We all hope never to get involved in auto collisions but they are inevitable.

Ignoring this fact will not make it any easier when the inevitable occurs, so, like it or not, we should all plan ahead just a little bit. It can make a frightening, painful, and stressful situation much less terrible.

Be ready, be safe, be smart!