No one ever expects to be in a car accident, but the unfortunate reality is that they happen all too often. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 6 million car accidents in the United States every year. 

If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself involved in a car accident, it is important to stay calm and be prepared. By being aware of the six important things to do following an accident, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe and secure. 

1. Contact emergency services

If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured, it is important to contact emergency services right away. When you ask yourself What to Do After a Car Accident, the first thing on the list should be to make sure that everyone is safe and to get the medical help that is needed.

Additionally, even if there are no injuries, you should still contact the police. They will be able to help with traffic control and will also create an accident report, which can be important when filing an insurance claim.

The accident report will also be important if you need to take legal action against the other driver.

2. Move to a safe location

If your car is still operational, you should move it to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic. If you are unable to move your car, make sure to turn on your hazard lights so that other drivers will be aware of the issue and can avoid the area.

Once you are in a safe location, it is important to stay inside your vehicle. Getting out of your car can put you in danger, as other drivers may not see you and could hit you.

3. Check for injuries

Once you are sure that everyone is in a safe location, you can check for injuries. Again, if anyone appears to be seriously injured, it is important to call 911 right away. Even if there don’t appear to be any serious injuries, it is still a good idea to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Some injuries, such as whiplash, can take days or even weeks to appear. So, it is important to be checked out by a medical professional to make sure that everyone involved in the accident is okay.

In addition, if you are planning on filing an insurance claim or taking legal action, it is important to have documentation of any injuries that you or your passengers sustained in the accident. You can do this by taking pictures of the injuries and keeping track of any medical bills that you incur.

4. Exchange information with the other driver

Once you have made sure that everyone is safe and you have called 911 if necessary, you should exchange information with the other driver. You will need to get their name, contact information, insurance information, and license plate number.

It is also a good idea to get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. They may be able to provide valuable information that can help you with your insurance claim or legal case.

Plus, if the other driver tries to leave the scene, having their information can help you track them down.

5. Take pictures of the accident scene

If you are able to do so, you should take pictures of the accident scene. This includes pictures of the damage to both vehicles, as well as any skid marks or debris that may be present. 

These pictures can be important when filing an insurance claim, as they can help to establish how the accident happened. They can also be helpful if you need to take legal action against the other driver.

6. Contact your insurance company

After you have exchanged information with the other driver and taken pictures of the accident scene, you should contact your insurance company. 

You will need to give them all of the information that you have gathered, as well as any pictures that you have taken. 

It is important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident so that they can begin processing your claim.

Following a car accident, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure everyone’s safety and to begin the process of filing an insurance claim. By exchanging information with the other driver, taking pictures of the scene, and contacting your insurance company, you can make sure that everything is taken care of following this traumatic event. Just remember to stay calm and to take things one step at a time.