What Steps Should You Take After a Car Accident?
By: D. Miller, Associates
Tags: Lawyers, Attorney, Car Accident Lawyer

Accidents happen to the best of drivers. Even the most cautious of us can find ourselves in a car accident at some point or another. There are many different things to think about after a car accident. For example, did you know there is a time limit on reporting your accident? This article gives you an overview of what steps you need to take after a car accident. We also discuss your options if your car is totaled in the crash and how to get back on the road with the best coverage for your needs.

After the Crash

Whether or not you are at fault for the accident, there are some steps you should take right after the crash.

● Call 911. The first thing you should do is call 911. Call 911 first and then call your insurance company after receiving medical attention if someone is injured.

● Exchange information with the other driver(s). Get their names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, addresses, and insurance information before leaving the scene of an accident.

● Check for injury. If anyone gets hurt in the accident, check to see if they need help right away. Do not leave them unattended if they have been injured.

● Call your insurance company from a safe location only if it’s been less than 24 hours since the accident happened or if someone has been injured or killed in the crash. You can also file a claim online through your mobile device at any time of day or night following an auto accident.

Waiting at the scene of the accident

If you’re in an accident, it’s essential to stay at the scene for a few reasons. First, it’s the law. Second, if there are injuries involved, you’ll need to ensure they get help as soon as possible. It might seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many people flee the scene of an accident. If someone is seriously injured or killed in an accident, call 911 and report it immediately.

Reporting the accident

If you are involved in a car accident, it’s essential to report the accident to the police as soon as possible. This is called reporting the incident to law enforcement.

According to state laws, this needs to be done within 10 days of the incident. If you don’t report the incident before both 10 days have passed and one year has gone by since the incident, then it becomes too late.

Some police departments might not take your report unless you go into the station in person. Be sure to ask them about this if they don’t seem keen on coming out to your location.

You should also note that some states require drivers involved in an accident to provide their driver’s license number, vehicle registration number, license plate number, or current address of residence. You may also need this information about your insurance coverage after an accident.

Gather all of your information

The first thing you need to do after an accident is to take care of yourself. This includes getting medical attention if necessary.

However, before you go, you must gather all the information that you’ll need to file a claim. You’ll want to get the other driver’s name and address to start. You may also enjoy their license plate number.

Additionally, be sure to take pictures of your damages and any injuries sustained at the time of the crash. If possible, get contact information for any witnesses or bystanders who may be able to attest to what happened.

Once you’ve gathered this data, it’s time to get out of the car and call for help if necessary. After that, call your insurance company — they will walk you through what needs to happen next!

What to do if your car is totaled?

After a car accident, one of the first things you’ll need is to determine your vehicle’s condition.

If your car has been totaled in the crash, you’ll have two options. You can either have your insurance company total your car or purchase a salvage title and fix it yourself.

If you decide to buy a salvage title, you’ll need to pay for repairs out-of-pocket. However, if you choose to have your insurance company total it, they will pay for the cost of repairing the damage done to the vehicle in exchange for giving them ownership of it.

Regardless of how you decide to go, you must take care of any outstanding debt on your vehicle and protect yourself with proper coverage after an accident.

Getting back on the road with the best coverage for your needs

The first thing to do after an accident is to stop. It’s essential to take time to evaluate your injuries and the damages on both sides of the crash. If you’re not injured, you mustn’t walk away from the scene of the crash.

If you are injured, then you must call emergency services for help. It would be best if you also were sure to get all of your personal information out on the table so that first responders can know who they’re helping at the scene.

Then, it’s time to contact your insurance company or agent right away if your car was in a collision. This will help determine if everything will be covered under your insurance policy and what steps to take next.

Conclusion

When it comes to car accidents, it’s easy to panic and not know what to do. But by following this guide and getting all the right coverage, you’ll be well-prepared to handle any incident that comes your way or you can consult a Houston car accident attorney.