If you are involved in an accident, it is important that you understand what steps to follow after the accident. Such steps are imperative to not only ensuring that you and the other accident victims receive the proper medical care necessary, but also to assist you in collecting any necessary information should litigation arise from the matter. This page contains information provided by a Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia car wreck attorney firm to assist you in understanding the steps to follow after a car accident.
What to Do Before Entering Your Automobile
Oftentimes, you can mitigate damages by preparing for an accident at all times. Checking your vehicle to ensure that it is in proper working condition prior to being driven is imperative to ensuring that the vehicle functions while driving. Prior to driving your vehicle, you may also want to:
- Place a set of cones, warning triangles, or emergency flares in your car to ensure that you are able to warn other drivers of an incident should you become involved in an accident
- Carry a pen, pad of paper and card with relevant medical information in your glove compartment
- Buckle your seat belt and make sure that your passengers are also wearing their seat belts
- Allow extra time to arrive at your destination, to lessen the pressure of speeding or engaging in other aggressive driving behavior
Following these steps will help you avoid an auto accident, as well as ensure that you are prepared if an accident does occur.
What to Do If You Have Been Involved in an Auto Accident
If you have been involved in a transportation accident, stay calm! Auto accidents can be both frightening and stressful situations and it is easy to panic. However, remaining calm allows you to properly assess the situation and your injuries, communicate with the other driver and explain details of the accident to the police.
The first important step if you have been involved in an auto accident is to check for injuries. If you are seriously injured or if you are unsure of the extent of your injuries, you should immediately call 911 and request an ambulance. If you are not injured, you should check to insure that any other drivers or passengers are not injured. Safety is more important than assessing vehicle damage and so these steps should be taken first and foremost.
If no one is seriously injured, you should then move your vehicles to a safe place if in the path of moving traffic. Once everyone is out of the path of moving traffic, you should then follow these guidelines:
- Turn on hazard lights or use flares to ensure that oncoming traffic can see your vehicle
- Notify the police of the accident, even if it seems to be minor
- Contact your insurance agent immediately after calling the police
- Record the following information as soon as possible:
- The location, date, and time of the accident
- All parties involved, including any witnesses to the accidents
- Description of the vehicles involved, including the make and model of each vehicle
- The injuries that you have sustained, including any minor injuries
- Insurance information for the other driver(s) involved in the accident
- Be polite to the other driver, but do not discuss whose fault the accident is
- Take photographs of the accident scene if you have a camera available
- Remain at the accident scene until the police arrive and indicate that you are permitted to leave
Following these steps will ensure that you have collected all necessary information about the accident and that you will be able to accurately recall any details of the accident if you go to trial. If you decide to bring claims against the other driver, you should bring the information that you recorded with you when discussing the case with your attorney. This will allow you to remember all the necessary details and will ensure that your attorney has all the facts needed to properly assess your case.
If You Need Assistance Following Your Auto Accident
If you have been injured in an auto accident in the Washington DC Metro area, it is important to contact a Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC car accident lawyer who can assist you in pursuing your claim. If you are in need of assistance, the car wreck attorneys at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P., are available to answer any questions you may have regarding your accident. |
