What Should I Do After A Car Accident

Driving carries inherent risks, regardless of skill and experience. That’s because road safety is not only dependent on how well you drive but also on how the other motorists and pedestrians conduct themselves on the road.

That’s why it’s entirely possible that even if you diligently practice care and safety in driving, you still could find yourself involved in a car accident. Understandably, people would rather not think about this situation, but the truth is that it’s much better to be prepared for any untoward eventuality.

As part of your driving safety and preparedness, here’s a “What to Do After A Car Accident Checklist.” Situations may of course vary, but at least you have a general idea of what to do in case you do get involved in a Thousand Oaks car accident, including seeking help from a Thousand Oaks car accident attorney.

1. Stop and Check for Injuries

Even if it seems to be a minor bender fender, you should stop and check on the other car, if you can, to see if there’s anyone injured. If both cars are more or less fine, then you can move the car to the side of the road to avoid clogging traffic and so you can properly exchange information.

2. Get Help and Get to Safety

If the accident is a bit more serious and there are injuries, then you should immediately call 911 and the cops so you can get sufficient, timely help. Especially for incidents where the damages are a lot more severe, you need to get the proper medical attention to prevent conditions from worsening.

Sometimes the damage to the car may be so grave that it bursts into flames or somebody gets pinned inside. Immediate action becomes necessary at this point; every second counts. For those who cannot be moved too far away because they are at risk of being further injured, it would be good to mark their spot so that they can be immediately attended to once medical help arrives.

3. Document the Scene

Get the names, contact details, insurance details, driver’s license, car plate number and registration, and other important details from all parties involved. If there are any witnesses, it would also be good to get their contact details so you may reach out to them later on if you decide to file a claim for damages and compensation.

It’s ideal that your car has a dashcam because this would make it easier to retrieve the recording of what actually transpired in the accident. But otherwise, if you don’t have one, then check if there are any CCTV cameras nearby that could help clarify what truly happened.

4. Accidents Where the Owner of the Car is not Present

Sometimes car accidents do not necessarily happen while the cars are on the move. It could be in a parking space, for example, in which case it means that the owner of the car is possibly not around.

Even though the owner is not around, you still should leave a notification so both parties can work out the insurance claims arrangement.

5. Accidents that are not Your Fault

What do I do after a car accident which is not your fault? A very common concern, especially for victims who exercised due diligence while driving.

Because it’s not your fault, you may have a strong case to file for damages and compensation from the party at fault. Especially if you or your passengers sustained injuries, it is important that you act quickly to ensure you are awarded the compensation rightfully due.

6. Seek a Help from a Car Accident Attorney

You should immediately seek the help of a car accident attorney, like those from Mark S. Glazer. They can help you gather evidence to build a strong case for your claim. From video footage and pictures from the scene, witness testimonies, medical records, receipts, and more, this collected information are going to be crucial in filing your claim.

In your initial consultation, you can expect your lawyer to ask about the tiniest details of the event, including what you were doing before you set out on the road, your mental state, your intended destination, and more.

This is to ensure that all bases are covered and that you can clearly establish that you were exercising due diligence when the accident occurred. Doing so helps determine who’s really at fault, and therefore liable, for the accident.

As unfortunate as car accidents are, you must stay alert and act fast in response to the situation. These tips should help you anticipate what to do after a car accident, so you can claim proper damages and compensation.