No matter how carefully you drive your car, accidents can happen at any time and anywhere. Staying and driving safely on the road should be every driver’s priority. But the question arises: what should you do when you get into an accident? Usually people tend to panic and lose control of themselves. If you ever find yourself in this predicament, there are certain things that you need to consider, including whether it was your fault or not. To guide you, we’ve gathered all the relevant information that will help you through an unexpected accident.

Our Checklist for Post-accident 

These are some of the most important safety tips that you need to pay attention to: 

  • Don’t Panic and Avoid Leaving the Scene 

The moment people experience an extremely unexpected accident, their emotions take over and they may fail to make the right decision. The only thing they can think of is running away from the accident scene. But let us guide you. This isn’t the safest thing to do. Instead, if your car is still drivable, drive it to a safer place. If you can’t move the car, remember to switch on your hazard light to warn other drivers. This will give other drivers a signal that they need to slow down upon approaching the accident spot. 

  • Call 911 

Check yourself and other passengers for injuries. If you find yourself or someone injured, immediately call 911. If you can’t call, ask someone else to do it for you. Calling the police to the place where the accident occurred will not only keep the scene safe from further damage, but they will also write an official police report for you. This report can help you collect all the facts and save you if any insurance companies begin to file cases against you for the damages caused by the accident. 

  • Seek Necessary Documents From the Accident 

Once the police have taken control of the situation, here’s what you need to know to protect yourself. 

  1. If you think you’re in good condition and can talk, ask for the names and badge numbers of all the officers. 
  2. You also need to ask them where you can collect a copy of the accident report. Because if you plan to file a car insurance claim, your insurer might need the report to process it further. 
  3. Remember to take pictures of all the damage done to both cars. 
  4. Note down names and addresses of other involved parties. 
  5. If you come across any other witnesses to the accident, try to write down their names and contact information as well.

Once you are done with collecting all the information, get in touch with your car accident lawyer to start with your claim process. A professional lawyer can guide you through the reimbursement steps and advise what to do next. 

Our Final Thoughts

With this checklist, we believe you now know what you must do if you’re involved in a minor or major accident on the road. But make sure to have an insurance policy for yourself beforehand to avoid last-minute regrets. Furthermore, if you find your car is severely damaged after the accident and requires maintenance, get it repaired at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop. To inquire more about our services, please call (817) 834-2725. Our highly trained staff will be happy to answer any questions.