Traffic accidents can happen to even the best of drivers. Weather condition and other motorists may pull you into one. If you ever get involved in one it is best you snap out of the initial shock and function calmly for the benefit of everyone involved. What you do in the initial minutes can be lifesaving or reduce further incidents. Here are ten things you should do in order.
1. First thing you should do is to check if there are any injuries to anyone. Check yourself, passengers and then find out if there are injuries. Call 911 immediately, if you are concerned about the condition of anyone.
2. If there are no injuries and the automobile can move, move them to the side of the road. Otherwise, immediately place danger signs on both front and back. This will make sure that you don’t have pile ups or you don’t cause others to have collisions as well.
3. Then, move the passengers carefully to a safe distance on the side of the road. Take extra care with children to make sure they don’t wonder off to the middle of the road when you are arguing with the other driver. That is why you need to forget about what just happened and prioritize as efficiently as you can at this stage.
4. If the accident is big, you cannot move cars and the other party appear to be drunk or uninsured you should call the police. Their report will help you a lot when you are filing an auto insurance claim. Also, you may want to call a recovery service or a tow truck to move to a garage. Call the carrier as well especially when there are injuries and large damages. They would want to be informed as soon as possible to reduce exposure.
5. Once you do all the initial checks and make calls, keep the cell phone handy to take several pictures to document the accident. This will reduce arguments over who was at fault in the crash. As they say, one picture may tell a lot more than thousand words.
6. Next you should exchange information especially if the police aren’t preparing a report. Find out as much as you can about the cars, drivers and their insurance details. If the other parties are being difficult, don’t think that you must get information from them at any cost. Don’t get into arguments with anyone and just record whatever you can. You can find who they are from vehicle license plates if they are not willing to co-operate. Also, write down anything that may be relevant like weather and road conditions.
7. Under any circumstances don’t get into any sort of blaming or accept liabilities. This will be determined by either police or insurance companies. Besides, this could easily escalate into a needless argument.
8. If there are witnesses ask them if they would give you their details. Witnesses can be real helpful if both sides cannot agree who is at fault.
9. If you think it is possible and you like to drive away make sure that it is safe. Perhaps find the nearest garage and let them have a quick look at the automobile.
10. If you hit an animal and it is a pet, try to find the owner. If you cannot find or it is a wild animal call local authorities or humane society to deal with it. Don’t try to move or treat the animal especially if it is a large one. They may hurt you when they are in pain. Even they appear to be dead they may blow one last kick when you are not expecting.