Steps to take after a car accident

Residents of Colorado deserve to be as safe as possible when driving, but some careless drivers cause mishaps. If an accident occurs, it’s important to take certain immediate steps.

Check for injuries and go to safety

After a car accident, you should check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is injured, you need to contact 911 to have an ambulance arrive at the scene to treat them there and at the hospital later. You should get to a safe spot and out of the road if possible.

Call 911

Calling 911 is important. In addition to getting emergency medical personnel on the scene, you can also get a police officer there to take an accident report. You can ask the officer how to obtain a copy of the report for your records as evidence if you plan to file a personal injury claim. Make sure to get the officer’s name and badge number, too.

Exchange information with the other driver

Avoid saying anything but the bare minimum when speaking with the other driver involved in the accident. You should exchange full names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, driver’s license numbers and auto insurance information with them. Don’t apologize or say anything that could be construed as an admission of guilt for the accident. You should also write down the make, model and color of the other driver’s vehicle.

Speak with witnesses

Look around to see if witnesses saw the accident. Get their names and contact information and record their comments about the accident. They can be contacted later if necessary for your case.

Get medical attention

After a car accident, you should get medically evaluated. Injuries might not show up for hours or even days due to the natural adrenaline rush you experience after such a traumatic experience. You might have internal injuries that require immediate treatment.

Contact your insurance company

Inform your insurance company about the accident. Keep the details short and to the point. Don’t insinuate that the car accident might have been your fault.

Always be smart and take these steps after an accident. They can help you if you choose to pursue an injury claim.

Category:

• Car Accidents