Each year, between 20 million and 50 million people around the world are involved in a non-fatal car accident. If you’ve recently been injured in a minor collision, it’s important to understand your next steps.
The moments following a bump-up can be confusing. This is especially the case if you’ve experienced any type of injury or disorientation.
Today, we’re sharing what to do after a minor car accident. This includes the first seven steps to follow, and why they’re so important.
1. Get Out of Harm’s Way
Before you do anything else, our top car accident advice is to remove yourself and your vehicle from the direct line of danger. If you can safely pull your car over to the side of the road, then do so.
Leaving your car on the road puts you at risk of another collision. It could also block traffic, which could endanger other drivers. If you are unable to move yourself or your car, then turn on your hazard lights and call for emergency help.
2. Contact the Police
Your next step should be to contact your local police department. A law enforcement official can dispatch immediate help to the crash site. Once there, they can assess the situation and file an official police report describing it.
The police report will include critical information such as what the scene looked like, which individuals were present, and what appears to have caused the collision. If you decide to open a personal injury case, it can be a valuable piece of evidence.
3. Check For Injuries
Once you know that help is on the way, check yourself and others for any signs of injury. Note that if someone else appears to be injured, it’s generally illegal to move them unless their vehicle is on fire.
When assessing yourself, consider the full scale of your potential injuries. Even if you don’t notice any physical evidence of bodily damage, it’s still smart to visit your trusted physician. There are many different kinds of late appearing car accident injuries, including soft tissue injuries, that aren’t visible right away.
Remember to keep detailed notes of every visit that to make to the doctor’s office. This includes any therapists or rehabilitation specialists you see along your road to recovery. Even minor car accidents can cause a significant amount of physical, emotional, and mental pain and it’s important to track it.
When developing your case, your attorney may request access to these notes to prove the extent of your injuries. The sooner after the accident you go, the better.
4. Exchange Information
Before driving away, be sure to exchange information with anyone else who was present at the site of the collision. This means getting their name and basic contact information.
When speaking to the other driver(s), also take down information about their insurance policy. If you intend to open a case against them, you’ll need to have this data close by.
If you have the time and bandwidth, also ask each witness to give their written account of what they just saw. This can strengthen your case and help you prove liability for the accident. Ask for this information as soon after the collision as possible, when all of the details are still fresh.
5. Document the Scene
While witness statements are important, it can also be valuable to capture your own version of events. Take pictures and videos of the scene, if possible, making sure to document any damage in its entirety.
This means snapping pictures of your bent bumper, or your dinged-up door paint. It also means capturing any physical injuries you might have experienced, from cuts and bruises to broken bones. Most modern cameras (including smartphone ones) come with digital timestamps to prove that you didn’t alter the evidence after the fact.
Once you’ve documented everything you can see, it’s time to write about what happened. Jot down your version of events, just as you remember them. Do this while the memory is still clear in your mind, as too much time can make the details fuzzy.
6. Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you’ve received medical care, it’s time to reach out to your insurance agent. Explain what happened in the moments right before, during, and after the accident.
Most of the time, these companies will try to offer members some kind of base-level payout. While the amount they dangle in front of you might seem appealing, keep in mind that these estimates are usually far lower than drivers deserve.
This is why it’s smart to hire a car accident lawyer. This legal expert will be well-versed in insurance speak and will know exactly how to talk to your adjusters so you don’t have to. They’ll use all of the evidence and information in their possession to prove your case and maximize your earnings.
Left on your own, you might be tempted to take that first offer. Or, you won’t know how to effectively argue that you need more. Your attorney can take care of this sensitive conversation for you.
7. Rest and Heal
Wondering what to do after a car accident? Our final advice is to rest and allow your body to heal. As you travel back and forth between appointments, keep detailed notes of every visit.
In addition, it can also help to track all of the accident-related expenses you’re required to pay. This includes any time that you’ve missed from work because of your injuries. Your lawyer may be able to help you reduce those costs or even eliminate them altogether.
What to Do After a Minor Car Accident? Start Here
Any type of car accident can be enough to dismay and discourage you. Even a small collision can leave you physically hurt and emotionally damaged.
If you ever find yourself in this situation, keep these seven steps in mind. By preparing ahead of time, you can rest assured that you’ll know exactly what to do after a minor car accident.
Looking for more tips on how to stay healthy, both on and off the road? If so, be sure to check out the guides in our Health section!
