4 Important Steps To Take After a Car Crash
Having a car crash, even a minor one, is upsetting. However, it is important to stay calm and do certain things for the sakes of all involved. Here are four important steps to take if you have been involved in a car crash.
Check for Injuries
Check everyone in your vehicle, including yourself, for injuries. Call 9-1-1 immediately if someone is hurt, or else ask someone else to do so. If you think people in the other car might be injured and are injured yourself, call emergency authorities to the scene.
Clear the Road
If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid problems with approaching traffic. If you cannot move your vehicle, get all of your passengers and all involved to a safe place, such as the side of the road. Turn on your hazard lights, especially if you cannot clear your vehicle or the accident is at night. Flares are helpful in these cases to make the accident scene more visible to approaching drivers.
Check for Damage
Check both vehicles for damage. While knowing where to take your vehicle for reliable collision repair Lakewood CO is important, right after a crash you need to document the scene if possible. Take photographs of the damage on both vehicles and, if they are in the original positions of the crash, take photographs of their locations. Another option is to make a drawing of how the accident occurred.
Report and Exchange
You probably will want to report more serious accidents to law enforcement. Doing so helps with insurance claims. If possible, exchange information with the other driver, including name and insurance information. If the other driver is hostile or otherwise unable or unwilling to exchange information, law enforcement can help you obtain it for the purpose of filing an insurance claim.
Even though car crashes are jarring, keeping calm is important. Once everyone is safe, details can be collected about the accident. If someone is injured, do not move them and call for emergency help immediately. These important steps require clear thinking and a focused manner. Everything else logically falls into place.
