Did you know that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 10.8 million car accidents occur in the United States every year? That’s almost 30,000 accidents per day! Despite being such a common occurrence, many Americans find they have no idea what to do after an auto accident. If you’re one of the many wondering what should you do after a car accident, keep these tips in mind. They could be the difference between needing car accidents lawyers to help defend against a car accident injury claim and not having your accident be more traumatic than it needs to be.
Four Things You Need to Do Following an Accident
- Try to Move Your Car
- Collect Important Information
- Avoid Admitting Fault
- Call the Police and Your Insurance Agency
As Edmunds.com, an online automobile retailer, suggests, if you can get your car off the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic following a car accident, then you need to do so immediately. This is crucial for your safety, that of the other party, and all the other drivers on the road.
If you remember none of the other tips for what should you do after a car accident, then keep this one in mind: make sure you gather all important information before either you or the others involved with the accident leave the scene. According to Geico, you’ll want to exchange license numbers, insurance information, names, and telephone numbers. Further, if you have a camera, you should take photos of any damage, whether on your vehicle or the other party’s.
The worst thing you can do following a car accident, as CNN writes, is admit fault. It can be extremely tempting to apologize and tell the other driver how bad you feel about hitting them. Keep in mind, however, that whether you’re apologizing or coming right out and admitting fault, both will go a long way in earning you the “at-fault party” title after the accident; in other words, you’ll be be found responsible for any medical and repair bills.
Do not agree to settle privately after an accident. If someone offers you a few hundred dollars to cover your trouble, it’s understandably tempting to take the deal. However, as State Farm suggests, there is no guarantee that the same party won’t still report the damages to their insurance company, and it’s likely any money they do give you will be too little to cover your repairs.
With these four simple tips, you can stop wondering what should you do after a car accident and start being prepared should the worst happen. Remember, these tips aren’t just about avoiding court for car accident compensation, they’re also to help you keep peace of mind.
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