If you’ve been in an accident where you were hit by the other driver, you may be wondering what your next steps should be following the crash. Here’s the rightful course of action you should take after being hit by another car whilst driving:
Check For Injuries
Firstly, after any type of accident, you should check yourself for any injuries. Similarly, if there are other passengers, make sure they are uninjured. It is extremely important to check yourself for injuries because even if you feel okay, it can take a while for an injury to show up on your body. Similarly, if you need to go to the hospital due to any injuries sustained, it’s extremely important to keep these medical documents if you pursue a court case, and for your insurance claim. A trusted attorney from Cainlaw-OKC.com can help you every step of the way, from gathering evidence to pursuing a court case. Additionally, if another driver or passenger needs any relevant medical attention, then paramedics should be called immediately so that they can make a statement about what happened. By contrast, if someone doesn’t want medical treatment then it’s important to respect their wishes, but just make sure they have given consent before taking them out of the scene; this will allow them time to reconsider their decision.
Move To Safety
Once you’ve checked yourself and any other passengers for injuries, you need to move yourself to safety. The best way to do this is to get out of your car and onto the sidewalk or grass if it’s safe. If there are hazards nearby like fire, stay in your car and wait until emergency personnel arrives to rescue you. However, if you see flames or have a feeling that things might escalate any further, don’t hesitate to get out of your vehicle as quickly as possible. The other driver may also be moving their vehicle closer to yours so that they can examine the damage more closely (which could make you feel threatened). Give them plenty of space and continue checking on yourself.
Call The Police
Next, you need to call the police. The police will issue a report of the incident and take statements from both parties involved in the accident. If someone was injured, or there is any sign that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, law enforcement will perform sobriety tests on the driver and conduct an alcohol test on their breath to make sure they are not driving while impaired.
Exchange Information
It is important to exchange information with the other driver because this will help in filing a claim later on. As mentioned, the police can be called if there are any injuries or damage to property. The police will decide who was at fault and file the report. If you haven’t been injured and any damages incurred are only minor, you may be able to sort the situation between just yourself and the other driver involved. For example, they could offer to pay for any damages caused, and no legal action would be necessary.
Take Pictures
It is extremely important to take pictures of the scene of the crime because they can be used as evidence in court. You should take a picture of your car and any other cars that were involved in the accident, and take a picture of your driver’s license, vehicle registration card, and insurance card. Remember to take pictures from different angles so that it gives an accurate account of what happened at the scene.
Don’t Admit Fault
If you’ve been the victim of a car accident, it is extremely important to never admit any fault with the legal proceedings that follow – even when pushed to do so by the other party’s lawyer. Police and insurance adjusters will be quick to blame you for the crash and ask questions about how fast you were going, if there was anything in your field of vision when driving, or whether or not your tires were worn. It is always best to avoid saying anything incriminating in these types of situations because there are no guarantees that those statements won’t be used against you later on. With the right lawyer by your side, you should be able to get the justice and rightful compensation you deserve from your insurance company. Just remember to stay strong, and listen to everything your trusted attorney tells you to do during the process of the court case.
Being involved in a car accident is never going to be a fun experience for anyone involved. And the process that follows may seem daunting. However, with the right lawyer by your side and with your loved ones’ support – you can get the justice and compensation you deserve for the wrongdoing you’ve incurred. Just make sure to stay strong and listen to everything your attorney tells you to do, and you should eventually receive your rightful payout. Good luck!
