There’s only so much you can do to prepare for a car accident. You can take all the safety measures possible and still find yourself on the side of the road exchanging information. You are only as safe as the other drivers around you, even if you are the safest of drivers in the Lehigh Valley. So, what are five important things you should do after a car accident?
If at all possible, move the vehicles to a safe area, preferably off the side of the road. If the vehicles are disabled, activate the four ways and light flares so approaching vehicles know that an accident occurred.
When it is safe, you can check on the others involved in the accident. Find out who is injured and if medical assistance is needed. You can call 911 once you are safely out of harm’s way. Be sure to request fire and medical respond with police.
Be sure to provide the responding officers with as much truthful information about the accident as possible. This will help them construct an accident report. This report will come in handy when filing a claim with an insurance company or when filing a lawsuit.
Exchange information with the other drivers involved in the accident. Exchange contact information, insurance information, contact information of witnesses, name and badge number for all responding officers and the make, model and license plate number of the vehicles involved.
If you have a smartphone with you, document the scene with pictures. Take pictures of damage, all vehicles, hazards in the roadway and any evidence.
If you’ve been involved in a Lehigh Valley car accident, an attorney can help protect your rights. This is not the time to try your hand in the legal field.
Source: esurance, “how to handle a car accident in 7 easy steps,” accessed Oct. 05, 2017