8 Steps to Take After You’ve Been in a Car Accident
Unfortunately, car accidents are a fact of life. Millions of accidents occur yearly in the United States, with daily incidents ranging from minor fender benders to deadly collisions. Regardless of your circumstances, you should be prepared for what comes next.
Many accidents result in legal battles, insurance disputes, and long-term injury recovery. These situations can be stressful, but if you have the right plan and guidance, no problem is too difficult to overcome. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, there are important steps to take after a car accident.
In the following blog, we will discuss these legally recommended steps and how they can earn you fair compensation if the other party is at fault.
1. Prioritize Safety
Before all else, protect yourself. Roads are highly dangerous when you are not in a vehicle—cars, motorcycles, and trucks will fly by you in a blur. If you are able, move your vehicle to a safe location and activate your hazard lights.
2. Check Yourself and Passengers for Injuries
After you are in a safe location, check your body for injuries. If you have passengers, ask if they are alright and inspect any areas of concern. If someone is injured, do not move them unless they are in peril. Moving an injured person can unintentionally cause extreme damage, such as spinal cord snaps or nerve injuries.
3. Call 911
Remember, your safety always comes first. If you or a passenger are seriously hurt, the injured must be transported to a hospital. Ensure that medical help arrives quickly by dialing 911.
4. Exchange Information
If you and the other party are not injured, it’s important to exchange details such as full names, phone numbers, emails, insurance information, and vehicle descriptions. If more than two parties are involved in the accident, you should also collect their information.
While communicating with these parties, be careful not to admit liability for the accident. Your statements could later be used to reduce or eliminate your chances of receiving compensation.
5. Document the Car Accident
Your next step is to document the accident as best you can. This involves speaking with the other driver, witnesses, and responding police officers. There are several moving parts in a car accident, so we recommend following this list:
- Talk to/Identify Responding Officers: When police arrive on the scene, note each officer’s name and badge number.
- Ask for the Accident Report: Officers will file an accident report after they leave the scene. Before they depart, ask where you can access a copy of this report. Your insurance company may ask for the report when you file a claim.
- Take Photos/Videos: It’s always a good idea to acquire photo evidence after a crash. If it is safe to do so, document each vehicle’s damage, the other party’s license plate, and scattered debris.
- Find Witnesses: If other parties witnessed the accident, ask for their names and contact information. Witness testimony can support an insurance claim or lawsuit.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
After you have documented the accident and spoken with police officers, it’s time to take steps toward compensation. Notify your insurer and supply them with photos, videos, reports, and contact information from the accident. It is important not to admit fault. If your insurer thinks you are responsible for the accident, they may deny your claim.
7. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel injured after an accident, we recommend visiting a doctor at your earliest convenience. Some injuries are not immediately apparent and can worsen if untreated. Examples of hidden injuries include internal bleeding, organ damage, and spinal cord misalignment.
8. Speak With a Car Accident Lawyer
It’s important to seek legal advice after a car accident. A lawyer can determine whether your insurer offered fair compensation or help you understand your options after a denied claim. A car accident lawyer can also earn you justice if you’ve been wrongly accused of fault.
At Payne Law Firm, we bring our clients hope when there seems to be none left. If you do not know what to do when you get in a car accident, give our team a call. We’ll walk you through every step of the claim process and help you find expert medical care for your injuries.
Car Accident FAQ’s
Can I still get car insurance after being in an accident?
There are no restrictions on purchasing car insurance after an accident, but you cannot purchase insurance to cover the costs of an accident that has already happened. Insurance may cost more if you were at fault in an accident, regardless of which insurer you choose.
What should I do if I’m at fault in a car accident?
You should always follow the same steps after an accident, regardless of whether you are liable or not. So, we recommend following the list in the blog above. Legal liability will not be determined until your insurance company investigates the accident, and you may be pleasantly surprised. Fault can be attributed to something outside your control, like a manufacturing defect in your vehicle. In this scenario, you could receive compensation from the manufacturer, with help from a car accident attorney. Even if you are certain of your liability, you should still file a car accident claim. Depending on your insurance policy, repair costs may be covered regardless of who is at fault.
How much does car insurance go up after an accident?
Your annual premium may increase by around $200 if you are a non-faulty party in a Texas auto accident. But an at-fault crash will increase your payments by a much higher amount. In some cases, faulty parties saw their annual premiums increase by $900 or more. North Carolina drivers face steep rate increases after at-fault accidents. An accident with property damage typically increases annual payments by 79%, while an accident with injuries may bring a 90% increase. Note that these are estimates. Rate increases depend on several factors, including your prior driving record and vehicle specifications.
