The car accident happens without warning. It’s not your fault. You’re just driving through an intersection, watching the road ahead of you, passing under a green light. But someone else is looking down at their phone, they run the red light, and they hit the passenger side of your car.
Do you know what to do next? You didn’t plan for this, you didn’t expect it, and yet you know that taking the proper next steps is crucial for your future. Here are a few key things to do:
Start by considering potential injuries
Talk to everyone in your car. Find out if they got injured, how bad they think it is, and if you need to call an ambulance. Remember that adrenaline can mask your own pain. It is best to meet with the authorities and the medical responders to ensure that you’re doing well, no matter how you feel. If someone is seriously injured, you need to prioritize calling 911 to rush an ambulance to the scene. Health comes before everything else.
Take pictures of the crash scene
Your pictures should help describe what happened in case you need to do so later when talking with the police, calling the insurance company or starting a suit to seek financial compensation. Try to get pictures that show the position of the cars, the names of the roads, the damage to the vehicles, the signs and signals that are nearby, and other things of this nature. It’s also wise to take a picture of the other driver’s plate and their license.
Begin considering additional evidence
Additional evidence could include statements from witnesses, footage from a nearby camera, footage from a dashcam and things of this nature. The more you can get, the better. Everything can help to back up the story that you’re telling to the authorities.
Examining your options
If you have gotten injured in the crash, or if a loved one has suffered injuries, it is time to start considering your options. It may help to work with an experienced legal team as you sort through them and consider compensation.