What Should You Do If You Are Involved in a Car Accident?

What Should You Do If You Are Involved in a Car Accident?

In the event of an accident, there are seven steps you should follow:

1.     Stop – If you fail to stop after an accident where someone has been injured, you can be charged with a felony. If no one is injured and there is only property damage, failure to stop after an accident is still a misdemeanor.

2.     Call 911 - Report the accident and advise if anyone is injured. If you are injured, let an ambulance take you to the hospital.

3.     Safety - If the accident occurred on a street with fast-moving traffic, get out of your car and wait for the police off the road.  If possible, stay on the side away from your car, just in case your car is struck by another vehicle. Be careful not to stand in front of your car and not to stand with your back to traffic. If you are able, you can protect the scene with flares for additional safety.

4.     Police - When law enforcement arrives on the scene, make sure that an accident report is made and make sure you get the report number. You want to cooperate with the police but don’t make admissions or give opinions. If there are any witnesses who can back up your version of events, get their names, addresses, and telephone numbers and ask them to give statements to the officer.

5.     Identification – Don’t make the mistake of being too trusting.  Collect the names and addresses of the other drivers as well as the registered owners of the other vehicles involved in the accident. You’ll also want to jot down the license plate numbers, vehicle identification numbers (VINs), and state of registration for the other vehicles. And by the way, if a two-piece truck is involved in the accident, you’ll need the license plate number, VIN, and state of both the cab and the trailer.

6.     Take notes - Write down everything you can to help you remember all of the facts leading up to the accident or record it on your phone. Make note of any pain or symptoms you may be experiencing and report your injuries to a doctor as soon as possible after the accident.

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to receive help for your injuries as soon as possible. We know. Dr. Selinger is an experienced chiropractor for car accident. You may experience pain in your back and neck that can interfere with your quality of life. Don’t suffer alone. Arm pain solutions and whiplash treatment in our Lake Worth office are available.