First Things First
- By: RichC
- Published: October 25, 2018
If you have an accident, you need to know what to do. Frankly, this is not rocket science and mostly it’s not about the law. But, it pays to have thought this through in advance.
Take a moment if you can, regain your composure, and assess the situation. Think before you act. It only takes a moment, but it could make all the difference. What does safety require?
- Assess whether you have a potential neck or spine injury. If you might, stay still if you possibly can, until help arrives. Moving could cause permanent injury.
- Turn off the ignition.
- You should have an escape tool in your car so that you can cut the seat belts and break the car window in you need to.
- Stay out of the traveled portion of the road. If you need to, get a warning signal in the highway to alert oncoming traffic.
- Attend to safety and health, yours and others. Render first and or, if you need it, get first aid. If needed, call 911 for emergency help.
- Call the police. If someone has been injured, or even if someone may have been injured, call the police. Don’t let anyone talk you out of it. I repeat: call the police. Ideally, you want an accident investigation to be conducted. If the police won’t do that, at least you want an official report to be filed, recording the fact of the accident, its date, time, and place and the identities of those involved.
- Unless you are medically required to do so, don’t leave the scene until the police OK it.
- Get the names, addresses, phone number, and license plate numbers of all involved including passengers, and witnesses. Exchange insurance information.
- If you can do so safely, take photographs of the scene and the vehicles.
- Go get a medical exam.
- Call a personal injury lawyer before you talk with an insurance, adjuster, sign a release, or fill out your accident report
For more information on If You Have Been Injured In An Accident, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (802) 864-8144 today.
