What To Do When Someone Hits Your Car: 7 Steps To Take

Did you run through a red light? Did things get chippy in a traffic jam?

No matter what the reason, it’s always stressful when someone hits your car.

Often, you’re not sure what to do next. And, unfortunately, what you do in the moments after an accident can impact the rest of your life.

Don’t worry, though, we’ve got you covered. Here are all the details about what to do when someone hits your car.

Here’s What to Do When Someone Hits Your Car

A car accident is a traumatic experience. However, you can’t let it throw you off your game. In the event of an accident, you need to do the following.

1. Stop as Soon as Possible

First thing’s first, when you’ve been hit by a fellow driver, you need to stop as soon as possible. The closer you can stop your car next to the scene of the accident, the better.

If there’s a big enough curb, pull over to the side of the road and turn on your blinkers. If there’s no room on the road, make your way to the nearest parking lot.

2. Make a Call to the Police

Once you’ve safely parked your car, you need to call the police. San Diego personal injury attorneys remind us that in California you are legally required to report any accident with an injury or fatality. An officer will come to the scene, interview all of the drivers involved, and cite individuals based on the evidence.

A police citation is often needed in order for drivers to file claims with their insurance companies. So, whether you were at fault or not, you should make sure to bring in an officer.

3. Take Pictures of the Scene

Next, you should take photographs of the scene. Photos can help as supporting evidence when filing a claim. They could also be used as evidence in the event that you’re sued by other parties.

4. Exchange Info With the Other Driver

One of the most important things to do after a crash is to exchange your info with the other drivers involved. Not only should you obtain the drivers’ names, addresses, and phone numbers, but their insurance information as well. Note, however, that the arriving officer may take care of this step for you.

5. Call Your Insurance Company

Once you’ve left the scene, you need to call your insurance company. The sooner you call your insurance company after the accident, the greater chance you have of your claim being accepted. When speaking with your insurance representatives, try to be as honest as possible.

6. Make a Trip the Hospital

If you have even an inkling that you might have incurred an injury during the accident, you should go to the hospital. Not only will a trip to the hospital allow you to get treatment for your injuries, but it will also allow you to provide documentation in the event that you seek medical compensation. A car accident attorney such as Rodney Okano can help you do this.

7. Safely Store Records of the Accident

You may need your records after the accident, or you may not. There’s no way to know for sure. For this reason, you should safely store all accident-related records for the foreseeable future.

Looking for More Driving Tips?

Now that you know what to do when someone hits your car, you might be on the search for more driving tips. If so, you can find them right here at News for Public.

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