Having a car accident is a horrible ordeal that can affect both your physical and mental health. You won’t want to end up with any financial problems as a result of an accident. The best thing to do is to equip yourself with the knowledge that you’ll need should the worst happen. At the scene of the accident, there are specific procedures that you will need to follow afterward, let’s take a look.
Assess injuries
The first thing that you need to do is to stop your car and check if you or the other driver have any injuries. If anyone is injured, then you will need to call an ambulance right away. If no one is hurt, make sure that you remember this because sometimes people will try to claim for injuries later down the line. Even minor injuries can cause us stress, so it’s important to practice self-care after an accident.
Do not admit blame
You do not want to say anything to the other driver or to any witnesses which could later get you into trouble. You don’t need to twist the truth, but it is better to let your insurance companies or the police deal with who is to blame. Try to stay as calm as you possibly can and do not enter into any arguments with the other driver. No matter whose fault it is, everyone involved may be a little shaken up and confused. It’s essential to keep everything civil and not make the situation any worse.
Exchange details
You will need to give your name and address to the other driver(s) involved if any injuries or damages have occurred. You will also need to get the other driver’s details and those of any witnesses too. It’s best to exchange insurance information at this stage and to find out if the driver is the registered owner of the vehicle.
Call your insurance company
You will want to make a call to your insurance company as soon as you can. Give them all the details possible including the car registrations, the driver’s info, and the driver’s insurance info. The sooner than you get the process moving, the better.
Call the police
You will need to call the police so that a police report can be filed. The police may also need to deal with the road which may now be blocked. It’s best to do this as soon as you can, waiting too long may mean that the key details become a bit hazy.
If you are injured
If you have been injured in the accident and it was not your fault, you may be able to receive a structured settlement. A structured settlement means that the other party or the insurance company pay you a settlement. The settlement is made in a series of payments over time rather than in a lump sum. Should you wish to, you can sell a structured settlement. Selling a settlement can allow you to get the cash right away and so this is an attractive option should you find yourself in an emergency situation.
When you’ve suffered enough, you won’t want any monetary burdens too. It’s important to make a claim and receive the compensation that you deserve.
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