Getting into a car accident, especially not the fender-bender type of accident, can be such a dangerous and traumatic experience. Accidents strike suddenly, leaving drivers in panic – not knowing the right things to do after a Collision.
Statistics may favor safety, but being prepared is crucial. Even with low odds, knowing post-collision actions is vital.
Skip overwhelming to-dos, Simplify post-accident safety. Our blog outlines 5 crucial actions for your well-being after a collision:
Keep calm and stay put
Immediately after the collision, you’ll most likely be angry, devastated, shocked, nervous, guilty, sad, or all of these combined. Emotions can overwhelm, hindering control. So the more calm you are, the better. What you must do is, take a few deep breaths, count one to ten if you must, to steady yourself. Then, take time to look at your surroundings. Take a clear picture of what really happened.
Moreover, you must never entertain the idea of leaving the scene, whether or not you have caused the accident. Leaving the accident scene may be a cause for the suspension of your license. And likewise, leaving an accident scene with an injured person can result in more serious penalties.
Assess injuries
After a collision, prioritize injury assessment. Oftentimes, people who get involved in an accident insist that they’re okay because the pain hasn’t really kicked in yet. So, remember this: Check yourself first. Second, check your passengers (if you have any). Then third, check the people from the other car/are involved as well as pedestrians who might have also been affected. Also, it’s best that you never move an injured person. Unless urgent, leave injured person rescue to paramedics.
Get help from the authorities
Even if it looks like just a simple kind of collision, it’s still best to call the authorities. Calling the police will mean that this accident is now included in official records. Recording details safeguards against disputes and legal challenges. It’s also helpful in getting insurance claims. Also, once they’re there, make sure to leave no information behind. Try to recall everything that had happened before and after the collision.
Move your car to a safe place.
If safe, move your car after photos for a secure location. This will not only clear out the path of oncoming traffic; but also, it’ll give you more space as you deal with the other parties involved in the accident or as the medics rescue the injured persons.
Use cones or triangles from your trunk to alert other drivers.
Call loved ones.
Stay in your car after arrangements with authorities and others. Call any of your reliable loved ones who could get to you first. And even if you’re not injured, it would be best if you could let someone drive for you or you ride in someone else’s car, as your mind and your emotions won’t probably be that stable yet.
By simply following these 5 actions, you can be able to rest your mind and your body immediately after the collision. While it’s truly devastating that this unfortunate incident happened to your car, remember that what matters most is that you are alive. You can worry about your vehicle later.