If you’re ever in a car accident, it’s important to know how to handle the situation. There are certain steps that you need to take in order to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. In this blog post, we will discuss what to do if you’re involved in a car accident. Stay safe out there!
Do Not Say Anything Without A Lawyer
If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important that you do not say anything without a lawyer present. In a legal proceeding, anything you say can and will be used against you. It’s best to remain silent until you have legal representation. A Chesterfield car accident attorney managed to get a client’s charges dropped by having them exercise their right to remain silent. So, if you’ve been involved in a car accident, make sure that you do not say anything until you have a lawyer present. It might make the difference between your case being successful or unsuccessful.
Do Not Admit To Anything
The first thing you should do after an accident is to remain calm and not admit to anything. It is important to not apologize or say anything that could be construed as an admission of fault. If the other driver does this, do not let it influence your own actions.
Simply exchange insurance information and contact the police if necessary. Once you have done this, you can begin to assess the damage and figure out what needs to be done next. If you have been in an accident, follow these steps to ensure that everything is handled properly.
Check If Everyone Is Okay
The first thing you should do after an accident is to check if everyone is okay. If anyone is injured, call for medical help right away. Even if the injuries seem minor, it’s always best to get checked out by a professional. If everyone seems fine, your next step is to assess the damage to the vehicles involved.
Again, if there are any obvious signs of serious damage, it’s best to call for help right away. If the damage seems minor, you can try to move the vehicles out of the way of traffic. Once you’ve done that, you can exchange insurance information with the other driver. Be sure to get their name, address, phone number, and insurance company information.
If the other driver doesn’t have insurance or refuses to give you their information, you can call the police. They will usually come and sort everything out. In some states, it’s mandatory to call the police after an accident, even if it seems minor.
Gather Evidence
If you’re able to do so, take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to both vehicles involved. It can be helpful to use your phone’s camera timer so that you can be in the photo as well. Be sure to get close-ups of any visible damage, as well as any skid marks on the road.
If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information so that you can follow up with them later if need be. All of this evidence will be helpful in painting a clear picture of what happened during the accident.
If you have a dashcam, download the footage as soon as possible so that you have a record of the events leading up to and including the accident. This footage can be extremely helpful in proving what happened during an accident.
Mark Everything So Other People Don’t Crash Into You
When you’re in an accident, the first thing you should do is mark everything so other people don’t crash into you. This includes putting out flares, turning on your hazard lights, and setting up a reflector triangle. If it’s nighttime, you can use flashlights to mark the scene. You should also make sure to move your vehicle off to the side of the road if possible.
This will help make the scene more visible to other drivers and hopefully prevent any further accidents. Once you’ve done this, you can assess the damage to your vehicle and see if anyone is injured. If there are injuries, it’s important to call 911 right away. Otherwise, you can exchange information with the other driver and file a police report if necessary.
Don’t Take The First Offer From Your Insurance Claim
Most people are unaware that they can negotiate with their insurance company after an accident. The first offer from your insurance company is almost always a lowball. Don’t take it! You have the power to negotiate a higher settlement. Here’s how:
The first step is to understand what your car is worth. Find out your car’s Kelley Blue Book value. This is the value that your insurance company will use to determine their offer.
Next, calculate the cost of repairs. If your car is totaled, this will be the value of a new car minus the Kelley Blue Book value of your car. If your car can be repaired, get estimates from reputable repair shops.
Following these steps will help you properly deal with an accident. Remember to stay calm, assess the situation, and gather evidence. And don’t forget to negotiate with your insurance company!