What to Do After a Car Accident

Thursday, April 23, 2020

What to Do After a Car Accident

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

People don’t really dwell on traffic accidents, at least not until they’re in one. Traffic accidents aren’t everyday events for anyone, but people prepare for lots of events that might never happen to them. Many people have fire evacuation plans for their homes and make sure all family members know what to do. They have emergency plans for home injuries and make sure children know how to call for assistance if the only adult at home is injured. 

Some people prepare for the zombie apocalypse and keep essential supplies stored – those people are looking a lot smarter during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially if they stockpiled toilet paper. The difference is, a traffic accident is not something that is never going to happen. If you’re in a traffic accident, you should talk to a Chicago car accident attorney. You also should have a plan on what to do if you ever are in a car accident.

There Are Key Steps to Take Immediately After a Traffic Accident

There were nearly 6.5 million traffic accidents reported to police in 2017. No one knows how many little fender benders went unreported, but 6.5 million accidents ought to be a big enough number to get your attention. It could happen to you, so have a plan. Further, 37,133 people died in those accidents, and more than 2.7 million more were injured. All the more reason for you to know what to do after a traffic accident. Some things probably are obvious. If the accident is more than a minor fender bender and appears to be an emergency, call 911. It doesn’t matter if you don’t yet know if anyone is injured. After that, there are some simple steps you should take, including:

1. If possible, move your car out of traffic lanes and turn on your emergency flashers
2. Determine if anyone is injured and notify the 911 operator if that is the case.
3. If everyone is capable, exchange insurance information with any other drivers involved in the crash.
4. If possible, take pictures of the crash scene, damage to vehicles, and the like. If possible, later find pictures of your car before the crash to verify the condition of the car before the accident. This will help document how the accident damaged your car.
5. If you can, get names and contact information for any witnesses. When the police arrive, give them the witness information.
6. Contact your auto insurance company and give a brief, factual description of what happened. Do not provide commentary beyond what you know to be absolutely factual.

After the accident, get medical attention, even if only to verify you have not suffered any injuries that are not immediately apparent. Keep records of any medical visits or treatments, as well as records of any work time you might miss as a result of the accident, including any time you have to take off from work for your medical visits

If you Need a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer, Contact the Lawyers of Malman Law

If you have suffered an injury in an automobile accident, you should consult with a Chicago car accident lawyer. You might be entitled to compensation. The lawyers of Malman Law are ready to assist you. You can reach us at (312) 629-0099 or through our website.