Car Accidents: What to Do Right After a Crash

NEW YORK, NY, August 01, 2012

Since nearly all of us will be in a car accident during our lives, it's important to decide ahead of time what should be done to minimize everyone's injuries while still fully obeying the law. Far too many people panic because they're frightened by what's just happened or because they're afraid that the car accident will be blamed upon them. Instead, everyone needs to remain as calm as possible, keeping safety first in their thoughts.

The following list of tips can help all of us stay properly focused as we seek out the help that's often needed right after a collision occurs.

Safety Tips for Handling the Immediate Aftermath of an Accident

- Check for Injuries. Before doing anything else, look closely at everyone in your vehicle and briefly speak with them to see if they've suffered any injuries. If someone is unable to respond after being directly addressed, assume that person has suffered a serious head injury and call 9-1-1 immediately. If you haven't suffered serious injuries, help everyone who isn't trapped in the vehicle to exit safely, directing them to a place nearby where they won't get hit by traffic. (You should also call 9-1-1 right away if anyone in the accident appears to have suffered any serious wounds or injuries);

- Move Your Vehicle Out of the Traffic Lanes. If your car can still be driven safely, move it out of the traffic and park it far enough away so that it won't get hit again. If you can't start the car, see if someone else on the scene can help you push your car out of the traffic lanes;

- Never Drive Away Immediately. Always stop and render aid to those harmed. In most states, you can be ticketed as a hit-and-run driver if you don't stop and at least exchange insurance coverage and other basic information with the other driver(s);

- Contact the Authorities. Either call the local police or nearest highway patrol office for help and to report the incident. Keep in mind that if there are no reported injuries, an officer may not respond. You should still always file an accident report at the nearest police station, carefully indicating your version of the events. (Note: Never sign another person's handwritten statement about how the accident took place. Such documents can easily come back to harm you if litigation is pursued later on);

- Exchange All Basic Information with the Other Drivers. Always keep some type of notepad in your car for this type of need. Jot down the other drivers' insurance carriers' names and each person's driver's license state and number. Next, write down a very clear description of each vehicle involved in the accident. Note each vehicle's make, model, year and color - along with the license plate number. It's also wise to describe any dents or other damage that may have just been incurred during the accident;

- Take Pictures Whenever Possible. If you don't have a cell phone that can take pictures, always keep at least one disposable plastic camera in your vehicle for this purpose. While carefully respecting injured parties' privacy, take some photos (even if you must do so from a distance) which will indicate where all of the vehicles collided. Consider also sketching out the basics of the accident scene -- clearly indicating the proper streets, highway names or exit lanes involved. You're insurance company and others may ask you for all of this information at a later time;

- Call Your Insurance Agent Right Away. Tell your agent if you or any of your passengers sustained any injuries. If you haven't been harmed, go ahead and arrange a time within the next day or two when your agent can meet with you to assess the full damage done to your vehicle;

- Consider Getting Yourself Evaluated at a Nearby Hospital. After handling all of your basic legal duties -- if there's the slightest chance that you bumped your head or injured any other part of your body that's not immediately visible, consider going for X-rays and an exam at a nearby emergency room;

- Look Around for Uninvolved Witnesses. After you've summoned all of the required medical help, contacted the police and moved your vehicle to a safe location, look around for accident witnesses. Look for someone who wasn't actually in the accident and ask for all of that person's contact information. Tell the individual that you may need to obtain a formal statement at a later date.

Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP
Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP
122 E. 42nd Street, Suite 3800
New York, NY 10168
Telephone: 212-863-9101, 212-925-0909
http://www.nycaccident.com