Crash! And it was no fender-bender. This was not supposed to happen on your commute to work. But now that you are in the middle of a three-vehicle accident, you cannot be passive. Yes, you are going have to let the boss know you will be late, but your priorities are making sure you and other drivers are OK and to gather as much accident-related information and details as possible.
In most car accidents with or without injury, a driver is usually at fault. Their negligence – whether speeding, blowing a stop sign, running a red light or texting while driving – has led to a completely avoidable traffic accident. But now, you must keep calm and quickly act in order to protect yourself.
Gather information, talk to witnesses
Motor vehicle accidents are almost always unexpected. You get rear-ended while waiting at a traffic light, you collide with another car that blew through a stop sign or encounter a drunk driver whose vehicle crosses the center line and collides with yours. A serious injury can happen in any one of these situations.
If you are in a motor vehicle accident, here are some actions that you need to take:
- Call an ambulance if you or any other driver is injured.
- Contact law enforcement.
- If your vehicle is still operable, move it out of the traffic lanes in order to avoid any additional accidents.
- Exchange information with all other motorists. This includes insurance information, telephone numbers as well as year, make and models of each vehicle.
- Take thorough photographs of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, your injuries and roadway debris. Many people nowadays have smartphones with photographing capabilities.
- Obtain statements from accident witnesses. Get their names, contact information and share the same with them.
Frustration, anxiety, uncertainty and injuries often arise due to a car accident. Please do your best to keep calm and protect yourself as best as possible.