In the minutes or even hours after a car crash, you may not know exactly what steps to take. The area and people surrounding you could be full of confusion and panic.
Learning about common steps to take after a crash is one way to help yourself stay calm and focused.
Check on people around you
According to the AARP, if you are able to walk around and do not need immediate medical attention, try to check on any passengers or pedestrians near you. Some of them may need you to call emergency services like the police or an ambulance.
You can also ease the flow of traffic by moving your car out of the way, but only if the accident was not a majorly destructive one. If you have any doubts, leave your vehicle where it was and do not attempt to drive it again.
Choose your words carefully
While your first instinct may be to apologize and politely claim responsibility for what occurred, you should make sure you do not talk about the specifics of the accident right away. If you feel the other person is too upset to speak calmly, you may just want to avoid talking to them as much as possible.
Take note of information
Staying close to the scene of the accident is important. One way to make sure you have enough information for your insurance company is to ask for the other person’s name and home address, along with their phone number.
This way, you can contact them at any time if you need to. You should also share your personal information as well. Following a few simple steps after a car accident can help you if you find yourself panicking.
