Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be troublesome. You’ve got a bunch of things to do — talk to witnesses, file a police report, and fix your car — and you have to take care of them while you recuperate from any injuries!
Consequently, the time after an accident can always be particularly stressful. To help you alleviate some of that stress, we’ve written a checklist to keep things organized.
1. Get Yourself Taken Care Of
The first and most important thing that you need to do after an accident is to take care of yourself. Everything else is secondary to this. The issues that can have a lasting negative impact on your life are medical ones.
Don’t worry about the other stuff until you’ve ensured that you are A-okay medically and won’t experience any long-term negative effects from the crash. It’s important to remember that some medical conditions and pains won’t manifest until days after the crash, so keep a careful watch on what your body is telling you.
2. Call the Police
Once you have verified that you are in good shape at the scene of the accident, you should call the police. Calling the police to the auto accident scene will ensure that a legal record of the incident is created.
The police are the ones who will guide you through filing a police report. Then, based on evidence from witnesses and statements from both parties, the police may be able to assign blame on one party or the other. This will help insurance get things figured out as far as who owes whom what.
3. Get Your Car Fixed
The next thing to do is get your car fixed. If the car in the accident is your only method of transportation, then you’re going to need this ASAP so that you’re able to continue commuting to work. Don’t let the incident impact your ability to earn an income — get your car fixed as soon as possible.
If the other party was at fault and that’s provable, then the expenses you pay for the auto repairs will likely be reimbursed to you. So there’s no reason not to go ahead and get your car fixed ASAP, even if you have to make some repairs yourself.
4. Talk to Your Insurance
The next task is to talk to your insurance. Depending on your policy coverage, you may be able to get some or all of your medical and repair bills covered. You may also get other benefits such as a loaner car.
5. Find a Lawyer
Last but not least, if your insurance is not paying out or if the other party fails to compensate you, it’s time to call a lawyer, such as one from sweetlaw.com. Litigation can result in a hefty settlement that adds to your bank account.
What to Do After an Accident, Made Simple
There you have it. With this guide on what to do after an accident, you should have a much better idea of how to navigate the complicated aftermath of an auto incident.
For more auto advice, check out the rest of the website before you leave!
