What to Do Immediately After You Get in a Car Accident?

The moments after a car accident are tense. You may be in pain, you may be angry, and you may not even be clear on what happened yet.  Nonetheless, the actions you take in those first minutes can make a crucial difference—not only for your safety but for your financial future. 

Your car accident claim and your chance to recover the money you need both begin the second after the accident itself. Our Atlanta car accident lawyers explain what to do immediately after you get in a car accident to protect yourself and your rights.

Secure the Scene

First, make sure you don’t cause further injuries or damage by securing the scene.

Move to Safety if Needed

If your vehicle is damaged or in an unsafe position, get yourself and any passengers out and move to a safe area away from traffic. If you’re unable to move, call out or signal for help. Approaching vehicles may not see you. Use cones, flares or warning triangles if possible to alert other drivers.

Activate Hazard Lights

Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of the incident ahead. If you have road flares or warning triangles, use them to increase visibility even further, especially at night or in low-light conditions. This will help prevent additional accidents.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Keep an eye out for any potential hazards like leaking fluids, smoke, unstable vehicles or live power lines down. If you detect anything dangerous, move away from the area immediately. Your safety is the top priority. Don’t risk injury by remaining in an unsafe environment.

Check on Others

Once you’re out of harm’s way, check if anyone else needs assistance, including:

• Occupants of other vehicles involved
• Bystanders or witnesses who may have stopped
• Anyone who seems injured or in distress

Approach cautiously and call emergency services right away if there are obvious injuries or the situation appears unsafe. Render reasonable aid if it’s safe to do so until help arrives, such as applying pressure to severe bleeding.

Notify Authorities

Whether it’s a fender bender or a major collision, you should always notify the proper authorities immediately after a car accident.

• For serious accidents involving injuries, fires, blocked traffic or vehicle disablement, call 911 immediately for emergency response.
• For minor accidents with only property damage, call the non-emergency police line to have an officer dispatched to the scene if required by law.

Having a police report creates an official record of the incident, which can be crucial evidence for any insurance claims or legal proceedings. Police officers will document details at the scene.

Document Everything

Thorough documentation of the accident scene can help support your case and protect your rights:

• Take photos/videos of vehicle damage, road debris, traffic signals, and overall scene details from multiple angles.
• Jot down a description of how the accident occurred and any relevant conditions like weather, lighting, and road hazards.
• Get contact information from any witnesses willing to provide it.
• If the other driver seems impaired, record video evidence if possible.

The more evidence you gather in those critical moments, the stronger your claim will be. Written notes and photos create an accurate record.

Exchange Information

Once the scene is relatively secure, you’ll need to exchange basic information with the other driver(s) involved:

• Full names and contact details
• Driver’s license numbers
• License plate numbers
• Insurance information

Limit discussion of the accident itself until after you’ve spoken with your insurer or lawyer. Stick to the facts without admitting fault. Engaging in heated arguments can only worsen the situation

Seek Medical Attention

Immediately after an auto accident, you need to seek a medical evaluation from a physician. Even if you don’t notice any injuries initially, it’s still wise to get checked out by a medical professional after any moderate or high-impact collision. Symptoms may not appear for hours or days due to:

• Adrenaline masking pain
• Delayed onset of whiplash, concussion, or internal injuries

Getting prompt medical care creates documentation of any accident-related injuries to strengthen your claim. Follow your doctor’s medical treatment plan carefully.

Contact Your Insurer

Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible, even if you’re not yet filing a claim. Most policies require prompt reporting.

• Provide only the bare facts without speculating on fault
• Get an incident or claim number to reference
• Inquire about the next steps based on your coverages
• Do NOT give permission to record your statement

An insurance adjuster will guide you through their claims process. However…

• They may try to settle quickly and cheaply
• You need to safeguard your full rights

…which is why you should also:

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible After a Car Accident

For any injury claim or complicated case involving disputes over fault or damages, it’s critical to have an experienced car accident attorney advocating for your interests against the insurance companies. We can help to ensure that:

• You understand your legal options and rights
• All avenues for compensation are fully pursued
• Your claim is maximized to cover current and future costs
• The process is handled correctly from start to finish

These are all the steps you need to take at the accident scene itself. Afterward, however, you should get a checkup from a doctor and a free consultation from an Atlanta personal injury lawyer. Contact John Foy and Associates today.