What Should You Do If You're Involved in a Car Accident? 

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Even though it is common, no one really wants to be in a car accident. Even a slight bump can have a negative impact on your life since you still have to do a lot of paperwork, get all the parties involved to cooperate, and deal with insurance claims. All these require time and money and add stress to your daily existence. 

However, the situation described above is among the happiest when it comes to car accidents. In a majority of situations, car accidents end up in injuries and serious damages, and some are even fatal. 

Sadly, there is no full-proof method to avoid getting involved in a road collision. Data shows that safe driving is a good method to keep yourself and others safe in traffic, but not everyone follows the recommended practices. Therefore, every driver needs to know what to do in case they are involved in a car accident. 

Things To Do According to the Type of Accident

Things may differ according to the type of car accident (rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, side collisions, and so on). Depending on the situation, drivers and vehicle occupants may suffer different types of injuries, which is why everyone must seek medical help. Additionally, there can be hidden damages to the vehicles, according to the type of collision.  

For instance, there is a high risk of damage to the spinal cord and/or head trauma in the case of a rear-end collision. Moreover, according to The Fernandez Firm, rear-end collisions are often the result of distracted driving (the driver who hit you was probably on the phone or engaged in other activities besides driving). Therefore, it's imperative that you pay attention during the first moments of the accident (before the other driver gets to hide the evidence of their mistake) and look for an experienced car accident attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve. 

Regardless of the type of accident, here are the three main steps to follow:

• Check yourself and other people involved in the collision for wounds and injuries. Depending on the situation, you should ask for medical assistance at the location of the accident or you should find the nearest medical facility and have a specialist check your health. 
• Assess the damages and exchange contact information and insurance details with the other driver(s). 
• Seek legal help from a lawyer or law firm specializing in car accidents. They will make sure your rights are respected and will take the workload off your shoulders. 

Collect the Right Data

In the craziness that follows a traffic collision, it's rather easy to forget about data collection. While this is understandable, it's also a mistake that could lead to the denial of your insurance claim. 

To avoid getting lost in the confusion and adrenaline rush, here is a list of all the data you need to collect: 

• Driver's name and contact information (phone number, email address, and more)
• Their insurance provider (name and contact information)
• Ask for a picture of their driver's license and take their license plate number
• Register data about the vehicle (type, model, color, and other important details)
• The location of the collision and how you think it happened

Quick note: Never try to collect these data from a driver who doesn't want to cooperate or who looks angry and/or enraged by the event. If this happens, keep your distance and call for law enforcement assistance without leaving the location until they arrive. 

Wrap Up

Sadly, we are not at a level where car accidents can be avoided, even when practicing safe driving. According to the statistics, distracted driving, speeding, and driving under influence are some of the most common accident causes, which is why every traffic participant must prepare for an encounter with a reckless driver.