Accidents can happen no matter how good of a driver you are. It’s something that can change your life in an instant. One second, you’re peacefully driving to your destination, the next, it can seem like your world is upside down. As jarring as it is, there are things that you need to do in the aftermath. Here are five of them, and one of them involves the law.
Contents
1Seek Medical Treatment (Even If You Think You’re Fine)
You might feel fine immediately after the accident. Perhaps you might be startled, but that might be the extent of it. That doesn’t mean that you should skip medical treatment. Around the world, 20-50 million people are injured in a car accident each year, and you could be one of them. Keep in mind that some injuries might not show symptoms until a day or two later. You want to make sure you don’t have any internal injuries. If you wait too long, the insurance company of the other parties involved in the accident could argue that you were hurt otherwise when you submit a claim.
2Have Your Vehicle Towed
Skip the urge to try to drive your vehicle elsewhere. Under normal conditions, a third of drivers will have their car break down over the course of a year. By having it towed, you can ensure that any issues they find will be due to the accident, and not due to trying to drive your vehicle afterward. This is a good way to ensure that you are able to file your claim and get the most compensation. You can also have it towed directly to the auto repair shop recommended by your insurance company. Even if you end up needing to sell it in the end, a car with a service history is 23% more valuable than one with no maintenance.
3Contact Your Insurance Company
Your insurance company can cover a lot of the costs of repairs, including faulty components, three of which include the universal joint (U-joint), couplers, or carrier bearings. They need to know about the accident as soon as possible. That way, they can file the paperwork and help bolster your claim. An experienced insurance agent can help you navigate the waters of insurance claims.
4Contact a Lawyer
You’re going to need to have someone guide you through claims and negotiate with the other person’s insurance. That person is a lawyer, and you should contact one as soon as possible. They can help you gather all the necessary paperwork and documents, including eyewitness statements, and medical records. You’ll need to meet certain deadlines when you’re filing these claims, and your lawyer can ensure that you do that. If you miss the statute of limitations, then you risk not getting any compensation at all.
5Get a New Car If Needed
This depends on how severe your accident was, of course. There are times when a car might have been damaged to the point that even the most skilled auto repair shop can’t get it working again. If that’s the case, then you will need a new car. Have your lawyer look into having that be part of the compensation. The faster you do that, then the faster you’ll be able to drive around in a new car.
The best thing you can do when you’re in an accident is try to stay calm. Get as much information as you can, assuming that you’re not badly injured. Exchange insurance details. Never admit fault or even use language that can make it seem like you did. See how many eyewitnesses there are around you and talk with them, too. Contact the authorities as soon as it happens. A police report is an important document, too. Then, you can do the most important thing: take care of yourself or anyone in your family that was hurt. The rest can be taken care of in the near future.
