Let’s hope you never get into a car accident. Ideally, in a perfect world, your car will never hit another vehicle, and no vehicle will ever collide with yours. Here’s hoping for that.
Truth be told, though, accidents do happen.
And, at the time of a car crash, no matter how big or how small, it is not always easy to think clearly. Accident injury lawyers are well-aware of situations in which well-meaning people did stupid things – or forgot to do simple things that ordinarily they would have remembered to do.
What are some steps you should take if you are ever in a car accident?
-
Call 911
Particularly if there are injuries from the accident, you want to call 911 immediately. You will tell the 911 operator exactly where you are – including mile markers on the interstate. Include landmarks, and mention which side of the road you are on.
You should tell the 911 operator the nature of the injuries at the scene. If anyone is unconscious, mention that. If people are complaining of nausea or are vomiting, please make them aware of those situations.
If a tow truck is needed, make that clear. If ambulances are needed, say it. If the cars are in dangerous positions – still in the middle of the road, for example – you should let them know as well.
-
Help those who are injured
If someone needs first aid, do not hesitate to help that person. In some states, “good Samaritans” who try to help people at accident scenes can be held liable for further injuries. Ohio is not like that, thankfully. If you try to help an injured person, that person cannot sue you for what you do to help them. (An exception is if what you do can be considered “willful or wanton misconduct.” But, of course, that would not apply to you, would it? No, of course not.)
-
Collect evidence
Take pictures. Take video if you need to. Show clearly what has happened, and the condition of both drivers and any passengers. If the other driver tries to pursue a claim against you, this evidence can protect you.
-
Contact your insurance provider
Call your insurance company right away. Collect the insurance information for the other driver as well, but let your insurer know as soon as you possibly can what has happened. It is in your insurance contract that you are obligated to report any injury to them in a timely manner, so you want to act quickly.