What to Do If You are in a Car Accident

Car accidents happen every day whether we like it or not. It may happen to us or someone we know; however, the point is, they are going to happen. Culturally, we generally want everyone to be safe, calm, and collected; especially when involved in an accident.  This is why we create cars equipped with seat belts, air bags, bumpers, hoods, etc. Most people dread the minute any one of these components are tested or put to work in an accident. The question ultimately becomes, what is my responsibility when an car accident occurs? After an accident, you as the driver or passenger may be rattled, frantic, or even badly injured; however, this is the point when you must keep your wits about you, muster your inner adult, and handle the situation efficiently and smoothly. Even if the accident itself is over, your actions directly following the incident can play directly into the legal, mental, and physical characteristics of remediation which are sure to follow. The minutes you spend talking to the other driver(s) involved, writing up a police report, and scanning the accident landscape are crucial to your long-term convalescence. To help this long-term convalescence (one big word to resetting you back to your lemonade and beach sitting vacation) here are a few guidelines:

• Stay calm: Accidents happen! Yes it is scary and upsetting. However, the calmer you are, the more details you can pick up, and the easier it is to move forward. Learn more about the art of staying calm.
• Don’t apologize: Apologizing is the gateway to misunderstanding and inconsistency, it is better to gather information then spend the majority of the time finding synonyms for sorry. Find better gateway’s to conversation and dealing with the accident.
• Contact the police: One of the best way to resolve disputes is to have a mediator.  Failure to call the police for a plethora of reasons can seriously hurt your long term convalescence. Learn why it is so important to contact the police.
• Find witnesses:  Witnesses provide the extra detail and description you need to protect yourself.  They provide the basis to giving the situation consistency and greater detail, and can even potentially help you.  Familiarize yourself with the need for witnesses.
• Take photos of the accident:  They say pictures give a thousand words, and this even goes for accidents.  Snap pictures and provide yourself with the necessities you will need to know in the future.  Learn what those necessities are.
• Gather information: The more information the better.  There is no such thing as information overload in accidents.  The more info you can gather can either make or break your experience.  Learn which information is so crucial.
• Remember accident details: Unfortunately time can dull memories and specific details.  It is of utmost importance you take stock of the details.  Familiarize the best way you can do this.
• Examine injuries: If injuries do occur, it is important to seek the correct avenues for healing and moving on.  Whether this involves the insurance companies or others, certain details can help in providing the best experience.  Learn more about what you should do.

The more proactive you are in all of the areas above, the easier it will be when the dust has settled and you need to file an insurance claim or contact an attorney.  The details and characteristics previously mentioned apply to many accident scenarios and are valuable in a variety of situations.  The payoffs of preparing and gathering information in advance are well worth the time it takes to familiarize yourself with the protocol.  Don’t let the seeming remoteness of a car accident leave you unequipped to survive your day, and potentially ruin your month.

If you have been in a car wreck in the state of Utah, you need to contact the Utah Car Accident Lawyers at Christensen & Hymas.

Free Consultation

Learn your Rights. Get Answers. Free.