Thousands of people are killed every year in automobile accidents, and thousands more are seriously injured. Automobile accidents can be costly both financially and emotionally. There are medical bills to be considered, as well as insurance, auto repair, and costs relating to loss of income and also mental anguish. Financial costs relating to car accidents are in the billions of dollars every year. Automobile accidents occur whenever an automobile collides with another object. That other object can be stationary, such as a tree or telephone pole, or it can be another vehicle, train, bus or anything else that is also moving. Automobile accidents are more common during the winter months and during bad weather when roads are slippery and visibility is low. Here are steps to take if you are involved in a car accident:
- Assess your injuries first, and stay calm.
- If you are able to move and you are in a safe location that allows you to get out of your car, get out and assess other people’s injuries as you call emergency services.
- Even if there is only minor damage and no injuries, call the police in order to file a claim. Filing a claim is very important for insurance and legal purposes.
- Call your insurance agent. Describe the accident. Take pictures. Allow the agent to talk with police.
Here’s what not to do:
- Do not hesitate to call 911 if there are injuries.
- Don’t leave all the work for the police. If you are able, get the vehicle descriptions, license plates, and contact information for everyone involved.
- Do not discuss the accident with anyone but the police.
- Do not let anyone else tell you or convince you who was at fault.
If you witness an auto accident but weren’t involved, here are the steps to take:
- Move your vehicle to a safe location.
- Immediately assess the injuries to everyone involved in the accident.
- If there are injuries, call emergency services.
- Take notes. You are a witness, and police will ask you what you saw. Record license plates, car descriptions, location, etc.
Afterwards, immediately call your auto accident attorney to help represent you and answer any questions you may have. Auto accident attorneys and motorcycle accident attorneys can answer any questions relating to the accident, and help you determine your rights and what compensation you are entitled to.
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