If you have a driver’s license, you need to know what to do in the event of a road accident. However, many people don’t know where to start.
Even if the road accident is nothing more than a fender bender, it can still be a shocking experience. And, it’s reasonable to assume you may not know what to do immediately after the accident. However, as emphasized by this Las Vegas accident attorney, it is imperative to follow certain steps immediately after the accident has occurred.
Before we look at several of these steps, it’s interesting to be cognizant of the extent of road accidents and the need to drive carefully by considering several interesting road car crash statistics.
Global figures show that about 1.35 million people die in road accidents every year. The US traffic fatality rates are 12.4 deaths for every one hundred thousand residents. This number translates into a total of 38 000 fatalities per annum in the USA. And, over 4.4 million people are moderate to seriously injured and require medical treatment post-accident. And finally, “the US suffers the most road crash deaths of any high-income country, about 50% higher than similar countries in Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and Japan.”
Steps to follow after a road accident
The salient point of this discussion is that if you act promptly and decisively straight after the accident to receive treatment for any injuries incurred as a consequence of the accident and limit damage to your vehicle and its contents.
Therefore, here are several steps to follow in the event of a road accident
Report the accident
Even if the accident wasn’t your fault and it was just a fender bender, it is critical to report the accident to the authorities and your insurance. Even if you can drive away from the accident scene, it is still worth calling to the traffic police to the scene of the accident. Their reports will more than likely add value in the form of evidence should your insurer require it.
Collect evidence
This point is only applicable if you have not been seriously injured and require immediate hospitalization after the accident. The second reason why you might not be able to collect witness statements is if you are trapped in the vehicle and need to be extricated by emergency services staff.
Therefore, if you can get out of the car, it is essential to collect witness statements and contact details from individuals who witnessed the accident. Secondly, it is equally important to exchange contact details with the other drivers. Finally, it’s critical to take photos of the accident scene, the vehicle registration details such as the license plate, and the driver’s license details from all the other drivers involved in the accident.
Hire a legal expert
In many cases, liability is not conceded by the driver who was responsible for the accident. Consequently, there might be a legal battle when a defendant and insurer contest the liability claim. Therefore, it is essential to hire an attorney to defend your claims.