5 Things You Should Do After a Car Accident
5 Things You Should Do After a Car Accident
You may find yourself involved in an accident regardless of who was at fault. Adrenaline may be high, but here at Collision 24, we’re here to help give you tips on the 5 things you should do after a car accident. Even if the accident is minor, use our following article as a helpful guide to what you should do after you’ve become involved in an accident.
If you’re a driver near the Brockton, Massachusetts, area who needs direction regarding the next steps after an accident or collision, read below!
Step 1: Keep Calm and Positive
The first step in handling an accident is to remain calm and focus on getting help as quickly as possible. Sometimes, when emotions take course and there’s a question of fault, it can cause a lot of miscommunication and confusion.
It’s helpful to remain objective and take everything step by step to ensure that you and your vehicle are taken care of most effectively.
Step 2: Stay Put
If you’re in an accident, you need to stop your car, get out, and assess the situation. However, you should remain at the scene of the accident, even if your car has sustained minimal damage.
Leaving the scene could be seen as a sign of fault and may be illegal, depending on the local traffic laws. Wait until emergency assistance arrives and the accident is properly documented.
Step 3: Call Emergency Assistance
If the accident is minor and both parties remain in good condition, you could be tempted to continue without calling the police. Without a police report, who is at fault for the accident becomes a mystery. This could affect your driving record and insurance premiums.
Take the time to call your local emergency number (or 911) if your car doesn’t already have accident detection and automatic collision notification integrated. The police will come and file a report that can be used when settling insurance claims or handling any other legalities from the accident.
Step 4: Remain Neutral About Fault
Even if you feel you were at fault, avoid taking blame at the scene or with the other people involved in the accident. Admission of guilt can be noted and used in insurance claims, lawsuits, and other types of legal action.
Be truthful when asked about what happened, but avoid using phrases like “It was all my fault” or “I should have avoided that.” Doing so can come back down the road and alter the situation.
Step 5: Document Everything
The more information you have about what happened, the better off you are should you end up in court or an insurance dispute. Little details can make all the difference.
Draw diagrams of the location and where the cars are. Use your cell phone to take as many pictures as you can of both your car and any other cars involved in the accident. Write down the time of day, weather conditions, and the date. All of these details can be helpful later.
Where Can I Schedule Collision Repair After a Car Accident?
Have you had an accident or collision near Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton, MA? If you’ve been involved in a collision, you should use our 5 Things You Should Do After a Car Accident article to perform your next steps, then contact us at Collision 24 to schedule an appointment for your minor or major repairs with ease!