When you get into a car accident, the situation can be overwhelming to begin with. It can be scary, anxiety-inducing and you might be trying to think about the next step, but you’re still processing what just happened. It’s important to follow the right steps if you’re going to move towards recovery, and the most positive possible outcomes.
These are the calls you’ll want to make as you assess and deal with the situation you find yourself in in the aftermath of a car accident.
Safety First
The first and most important thing to do when an accident occurs is to get to safety and ensure everyone around you is safe. If possible, move away from the road and away from any vehicles that might pose a further safety risk.
You should try to check on everyone who was involved in the accident if you’re able to do so. From there, assistance can be provided to anyone who needs it.
Call 911
The next thing to do is call 911 and ask for the emergency services to arrive at the scene as soon as possible. When there is a road traffic accident, it’s essential that the police are notified so they can investigate the incident themselves.
You should, of course, also ask for an ambulance to come to the scene as well if anyone was injured in the incident.
Document the Accident
From an insurance point of view, you’ll want to document the scene of the incident and to gather as much information as you can. That should include taking photos of the scene as these might be useful later when it comes to making an insurance claim.
It’s also important that you make yourself available to police officers as they go about their enquiries and try to get to the bottom of what happened and what caused the accident.
Your Insurance Company
When those immediate concerns have been taken care of and any medical attention you require has been provided, you should call your insurance company and notify them of the accident that’s taken place.
This is when you might want to start the process of making a claim on your insurance policy. When you do that, be sure to provide your insurance company with any evidence and documentation that you might have gathered up to that point.
While most people sacrifice quality factors in order to get insurance for the right price, as Marisol, from an auto insurance in Pomona, says about finding the right insurance company for you, it’s about “saving time and money without sacrificing quality.” Even with a driving record, it’s possible to find the right insurance provider for your needs.
Conclusions
Dealing with a car accident is always difficult and each situation is unique. But it’s never a bad idea to have in place for who to contact and what to do. Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in a situation such as this, but in case you do, it’s best to be prepared and ready to take the right steps.