Perhaps one of the most startling moments that people experience daily is a car accident. Many people are good drivers and solidly believe that if they drive well, then they won’t have to worry about crashes. Unfortunately, many good drivers are in car accidents every day.
Even minor wrecks can put people on edge. The good news is that no matter if the crash was big or small, there is a set of things that drivers should do. Of course, the very first thing to do is to pull over. Never exit your vehicle on a busy street. Always get out of the way of traffic. If your car is so badly wrecked that you cannot get out of traffic, then put on your hazard lights. Only exit the vehicle when you know it is safe and contact emergency services.
Make Sure Everyone is Okay
Before you get out of the car or pick up your phone check for injuries. After a crash, people often don’t realize that they’re hurt. Take a look at yourself; make sure you’re not bleeding. Stretch out a little to make sure that your limbs and joints work the way they should. Then, check on your passengers. Is anyone hurt? Does anyone require medical attention?
If you and your passengers are alright, then go ahead and exit your vehicle. Head over to the other car and make sure they are okay. Now, if you believe that the other driver was intoxicated or that they could be violent, do not approach the car.
If you noticed signs of road rage or driving under the influence, then you should move on to the next step.
Check-in With Authorities and First Responders
Even if everyone is okay, and there is only property damage, but both cars can function, call the police. If it’s an emergency, immediately contact 911. If anyone is hurt or bleeding, call 911. However, if it is not an emergency, then lookup the number for your local police department. You’ll want to file a police report over the phone, even if no one is hurt. That police report is vital in any case.
Get Medical Help
First responders may direct you to the emergency room, may insist that you go, or tell you that you’re okay to follow up later. If you are generally alright or aren’t experiencing symptoms at the time of the crash, then schedule an appointment with your doctor. Alternatively, you can go to an Urgent Care office at your convenience.
Gather Evidence
Supposing that you weren’t taken to the emergency room, then you should be able to gather evidence. With your phone, take a photo of anything you can — tire marks on the road, weather conditions, and the damage to your car. Over the next few days, take pictures of any bruising and other injuries as well.
When you are able to think clearly, write out a complete statement. In that statement include everything you can remember what happened before, during, and immediately after the crash.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contacting your insurance company is something that many people are afraid of doing. Know that your policy likely has a very small window for you to report your crash. That window may be as wide as 30-days. However, some policies keep that window even shorter.
When contacting your insurance company, simply inform them of the crash and then end the call. You only need to provide details such as when it happened and where it took place. You do not need to give any additional information at that time.
Always Contact A Car Wreck Attorney In Atlanta
The final thing that you need to do after your unnerving car accident. With an auto accident attorney in Atlanta, you can protect yourself from saying things that can undermine your claim.
Reach Out To An Atlanta Car Wreck Lawyer After a Car Accident
Working with Atlanta car wreck attorneys isn’t something everyone considers after a crash. Many people believe that they can resolve the matter on their own or through their insurance. After a car accident, you should at least consider hiring a car crash lawyer in Atlanta. Depending on the situation and specifics of your crash, you may need an attorney.
Contact The Weinstein Firm and schedule an appointment to meet with one of our attorneys. After a crash, it can seem impossible to handle your insurance, work on your recovery, and return to work. Our attorneys can help take the stress off and allow you to focus on the things that matter most.
