It goes without saying that car accidents are stressful and can lead to injuries and property damages. The injuries are also not always physical; in some cases, the affected parties can develop disorders like PTSD, especially if the crash was nearly fatal or was a cause of a temporary or permanent disability. It’s also no surprise that being exposed to such an incident is even more stressful if it occurs abroad, where your insurance may not cover you. When you are traveling, you need to be prepared for any eventuality that can happen on the road, whether you plan to use public transportation or rent a car.
Preparation for such situations helps to protect you if the other driver falsely blames you for causing the accident, and it also helps you to file an insurance claim against the party at fault, no matter where you might be in the world. In all cases, you’ll most likely need an attorney that can help you file a claim, but there are steps to be taken before you call a professional to make sure that you have all the evidence you need and to stay safe. If you’re planning on traveling soon or if you’re already abroad, read on to learn what to do when you get in a car accident while you are traveling.
Check Everyone’s Safety
When you are involved in an accident, you must always remember that safety comes first. If anyone is injured, move them to a safe place and make sure that your vehicle is not distracting oncoming traffic on the road. You must secure the place to ensure that crucial details are not tampered with, and you should not tow away your car before the arrival of the police. The other thing to do is to call an ambulance so that any injured person can get medical attention right away. Even if you are not seriously injured, you must get a medical examination. A medical report is crucial in determining the settlement you can get for your injuries, even if you don’t that significant damage was caused.
Contact Your Injury Lawyer
A lawyer might seem unnecessary when you are involved in an accident, but you will realize that it is wise to contact one once you are involved in an accident. Your attorney may help you file a compensation claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Detroit-based specialist car accident attorneys at davidchristensenlaw.com/detroit-car-accident-lawyer/ explain that you can get the compensation you deserve by working with an experienced lawyer early on as soon as possible after an accident. Recovery after an accident comes with several challenges, but the good news is that professional lawyers have experience in dealing with similar issues. This will help you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries and property damage.
Report to the Police
You need to call the police, so they can attend the accident scene to get details and write a detailed police report. If you cannot call the police immediately, make sure you report the accident at your nearest police station within a short period. This will help you get a police report to use when you decide to file a compensation claim. Without this document, you may not win your case since the insurance company representing the other party can easily dispute it.
Notify Your Insurance Company
It is essential to call your insurance company and inform them about the accident. Some states apply the principle of “no-fault” where the accident victims can file compensation claims against their insurance companies. When you believe that the other driver was wrong, you can also claim compensation from their insurance company. When you contact your insurance company, they can dispatch an adjuster to evaluate the damages caused by the crash to determine your settlement.
Document Everything
It is vital to document everything at the accident scene to help you support your compensation claim should you seek to recover damages. You must take pictures or videos of the damages to the cars and other features around the accident scene. Talk to witnesses and write down everything that you still remember about the crash. You should also document the injuries, condition of the weather and road, and other details that could have contributed to the accident.
While at the accident scene, make an effort to exchange contact information with the other driver involved in the accident. It is vital to get the other driver’s details like license and plate number. You also need to record their insurance company, and policy number as well as the type of vehicle. Take note of the location where the accident occurred.
Never Accept Responsibility
You should never accept responsibility or state that you are to blame after a car crash. This can jeopardize your compensation claim, and you may end up failing to recover the damages that you deserve. You must also be careful to avoid signing any documents that you do not understand. Adjusters from the other party’s insurance company may try to find fault, and they will use the details that you provide against you. Insurance companies are in business, and they try to find any loopholes they can manipulate to underpay the accident victims.
Car accidents can be devastating, and they happen unexpectedly. However, the sad reality is that vehicle crashes are inevitable at times, so you should accept the unfortunate situation when it happens to you.
There are certain things that you should do when you are involved in an accident. You need to be calm and make sure that everyone is safe including the injured passengers. Move them to a safe distance and call an ambulance. You also need to call the police and your insurance company and notify them about the collision. While at the accident scene, you must gather all information that you may use to file a compensation claim. It is vital to contact your injury lawyer to help you with legal advice in case you might want to file a lawsuit against the wrongdoer.