In 2019, there were 33,244 fatal car accidents in the United States. You never know if the next time you get behind the wheel will be the time you’re in an accident. Knowing what to do after a car crash can help you stay safe and protected if you’re ever in an accident.

If you’re not sure what you should do after a car crash, keep reading. We’re breaking down the steps you should follow when you’re in an accident.

1. Get to a Safe Location

The first thing you need to do is get to a safe location. If it was a simple fender bender, move as far away from the road as possible so you can talk out the details. If you can’t move your car, then you need to get yourself to safety.

If you can’t move from your vehicle after an accident, stay put and try to call for help.

2. Call the Police and Accept Medical Help

Once you are in a safe spot, call for the police. They’re the best ones to take down everyone’s information and you will need to file a police report for any insurance claims. They’ll be able to control traffic and orchestrate any other needs you have as well.

If you need medical attention, this is where your work ends. Your first priority should be getting your wounds treated.

If it’s a minor accident, you can move on to step three.

3. Swap Insurance

The third step is to swap insurance with all involved parties. No matter what the other driver says, you need to take down their name, number, license plate, and all insurance information before they leave.

The police should also collect the same information, but it’s a good idea for you to have it for your records as well.

4. Collect Evidence 

If you can, you should also take down the information of everyone who witnessed the accident. It’s not your job to ask them what they saw, just to collect their information so they can tell the police later on.

Take pictures of the crash site as well. Document the damage done to both cars and any passengers that were injured as well. Your insurance may need this information down the line.

5. Call a Lawyer

If you were injured in the car crash and you suspect that you will have a hard time getting money from insurance for your damages, you may want to call a lawyer. A skilled injury lawyer, like one you can find at sweetlaw.com, will be able to go head to head with your insurance company to get you the money you deserve.

Life After a Car Crash

After a car crash, your adrenaline starts to pump and it can be difficult to know exactly what to do next. Luckily, as long as you follow the simple steps above, you’ll be protected on all fronts. Make sure you know what steps to take after a car crash so you’re not left stranded.

For more legal tips and tricks, keep reading.

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