Car accidents can be devastating for victims and their families. In addition to causing physical injuries, they can cause psychological trauma. Contact Duluth Car Accident now!
While there are many exact causes of car accidents, there are also a few common factors. Knowing these factors can help you understand why car accidents happen and what steps you can take to avoid them.
- Stopping at the Scene
If you get into a car accident, the first thing you should do is stop your vehicle. This is a legal requirement in most states. Leaving the scene of an accident can lead to criminal penalties such as fines, jail time, or license revocation. In addition, it can make it more difficult to file an insurance claim and obtain reimbursement for damages.
The adrenaline of a car accident may cause you to forget some important details, so you must take the time to slow down and check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Once you are all safe, put your vehicle in park and turn off the ignition. This will help prevent anyone from stealing your car or driving away while you cannot follow them.
In addition, it is important to stay at the accident scene to get identifying information from the other driver. Try to get the driver’s name and address, as well as their phone number. The make, model, and year of their vehicle are also helpful. Then, if possible, take note of any other unique characteristics, such as tinted windows or custom rims, that might help identify the driver.
If the accident is a hit-and-run, you will need to report it to the police as soon as possible. In New York, this is a violation of state law and could result in serious consequences for the at-fault party.
You should also warn oncoming traffic of the accident by turning on your hazard lights. It is a good idea to keep a pad and pen in your car for this purpose, as well as a charger for your phone.
When you are driving near an accident scene, you should never rubberneck. This is incredibly dangerous and can lead to other accidents, including pedestrian accidents. Instead, remain focused on the road and the cars around you. Then, when you are ready to pass the accident scene, drive carefully and look both ways before proceeding. If you are on the phone, it is recommended that you pull over into a safer area and continue to talk over the speaker.
- Calling the Police
Depending on the extent of damage to the vehicles and whether or not anyone is injured, there may be instances in which you can safely forego calling police. However, even for minor crashes and fender benders, it’s always in your best interest to call the police. The reason is that law enforcement officials will be able to provide an official and impartial report. This document will be necessary if you are to take any legal action or file an insurance claim in the future.
When you choose not to call the police, you’re taking a big risk. Even if the other driver seems honest and upfront at the scene, they could change their story later on for their own financial benefit. They may argue that you are to blame or claim that the accident caused more damage than it really did. In fact, there are many reasons why you should always call the police after any car accident.
First and foremost, a police officer will ensure that everyone is safe. They can also survey the scene to document any property damage and injuries. It’s important that you answer all of their questions honestly and don’t try to hide anything from them.
In addition, the police will be able to check for any possible road hazards and close the affected section of the roadway. This is an important safety feature, especially if it’s raining or snowing heavily. If they are unable to get to the scene, you can always report the crash online at your local department of motor vehicles.
In the case of serious injuries, a police report will be essential for any subsequent legal proceedings. It will document any injuries and provide a clear, unbiased view of the events that occurred. Moreover, failing to report an accident to the police can be considered a crime in some jurisdictions, so this is something that you should never ignore.
- Collecting Information
If you are able to do so without jeopardizing your safety or the safety of others, collect as much information as possible at the scene of the accident. This will help if your case goes to trial later, as it can provide important evidence for your claim.
Take pictures of all involved vehicles, their positioning after the crash, and any other relevant aspects of the scene. This includes skid marks, the road conditions at the time of the crash (such as whether it was raining or icy), and any signs that may indicate negligence. It is also a good idea to get the names, addresses, telephone numbers and insurance information of all parties involved in the accident, as well as any witnesses that you can find. Ask them what they saw and ask if they would be willing to give their statements in writing. You can also record their statement with your smartphone (with their permission, of course).
Note the weather conditions and other road and traffic conditions at the time of the accident, as these could have played a role in how the accident occurred. In addition, write down your own account of what happened as soon as possible at the scene. This can refresh your memory later and provide a consistent account of the incident when speaking with police officers, investigators or insurance adjusters.
It is always a good idea to gather all of your medical bills and other related expenses, as well as documentation of your lost wages due to the accident. These can be used to support the value of your damages and determine how much compensation you should receive.
If you have a smart phone, the images and information you collect will be automatically saved to your device for future reference. You can also access this data from the Event Data Recorder on the involved vehicle(s) if it is equipped with one. Lastly, if you have the contact information of the law enforcement officer who drafted the accident report, you can also request a copy from them.
- Taking Photos
If possible, car accident victims should take pictures of the scene of their collision. This is one of the most important steps that you can take to help with an insurance claim or legal case if necessary. Having photos of the crash scene can be helpful evidence in determining who was at fault, the severity of the damages, and the nature of your injuries.
Make sure to take pictures of all the vehicles involved in the crash, including their positions and angles from which they were photographed. Close-up photos are also recommended, as they can capture details of the damage that may not be apparent from a distance. In addition to cars, you should also take pictures of the surrounding area, skid marks, and nearby traffic signs, signals, and intersections. If you can, take multiple pictures from different angles and at various points in time to create a timeline of the events that took place.
You should also take a few pictures of your own vehicle, both the exterior and interior, especially the dashboard, steering wheel, and any other areas where the crash could have impacted you. If you have a camera or smartphone with a panoramic feature, try to get a few photos of the scene from every direction that is applicable.
Remember to take the photos in a well-lit environment, as the light conditions may change quickly. Additionally, you should use the flash feature if it is available to ensure that all the evidence is captured and visible. If you are too injured or in shock to take photos at the scene, you can ask a family member, friend, or bystander to do it for you.
After taking the initial photos, you should check yourself and any other passengers or witnesses for injuries. If you are able, you should also take photos of any wounds or bruises that you sustained, as these can help provide clear photographic evidence of your physical injuries and can also heal or fade in time. If you cannot do this yourself, be sure to get medical attention as soon as possible.