Tips for What to Do After a Car Wreck: A Practical Guide

By Pierce Blitch

 

Chances are, you, a family member or a friend will experience a car wreck someday. Knowing what to do is crucial. Print this out and keep it in your glove compartment for quick reference in case of an accident.

 

Be Prepared in Advance

Long before an accident happens, equip your car with essential items:

 

• • Camera (cell phone or disposable)

• • Flashlight

• • Pad and pen

Check your auto insurance policy. Ensure you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage equal to your liability coverage, as well as rental car, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

 

Checklist for the Event of a Car Wreck

 

1. 1. Turn Off the Engine
      Immediately after a collision, turn off your car engine to reduce the risk of fire.

1. 1. Activate Hazard Lights
      Turn on your hazard flasher lights. Use road  flares and other warning signs to alert other drivers to the accident.

1. 1. Call 911
      Always call 911, even if someone suggests not reporting the accident. Never accept offers to settle for immediate payment at the scene.

1. 1. Take Photos
      Use your camera phone to take pictures of the accident. Capture damage to all vehicles, the accident location from multiple angles, and anyone involved.

1. 1. Move Cars if Possible
      If there are no major injuries and the cars are operable, pull over to the shoulder. This is the law in Georgia.

1. 1. Stay Calm
      Do not argue, make accusations, or admit fault.

1. 1. Protect Your Information
      Nobody needs your Social Security number. Do not give it out.

1. 1. Seek Medical Attention
      If you are hurt, accept the offer of an ambulance ride. Go to the hospital emergency department and follow up with your primary care physician or a specialist.

1. 1. Provide Basic First Aid
      If someone else is hurt, offer basic first aid. Do not move an injured person unless absolutely necessary and only if you have medical or lifesaving training.

1. 1. Cooperate with the Police
      When the police arrive, be calm and cooperative. Provide complete and accurate information. Write down the officer’s name, badge number, police station address, and phone number. Ask when and how you can get a copy of the accident report.

1. 1. Stay Until You Are Allowed to Leave
      Do not leave the scene before the police and other drivers do, unless you are in an ambulance.

1. 1. Contact an Attorney After Medical Attention
      Do not call an attorney from the scene, as it may make you appear too eager. If there is a significant injury, call us after you have received medical attention.

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CALL THE Blitch Law Firm ATTORNEYS AT LAW TODAY TO DISCUSS YOUR PERSONAL INJURY CASE

 

We fight for you, and we don’t back down. Every personal injury case has potentially life-altering consequences. We don’t hold back on providing our clients the best possible representation. At The Blitch Law Firm, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a personal injury case can take. If you, a family member, or a close friend has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact The Blitch Law Firm today at 706-434-8770 or visit us at 7004 Evans Town Center Blvd., Third Floor, Evans, Georgia 30809 to discuss your unique case and our dedicated personal injury strategies with one of our compassionate and experienced attorneys.

 

DISCLAIMER: The content on this site is offered solely for informational purposes and might not represent the current law in your jurisdiction. None of the details provided here should be interpreted as legal advice from The Blitch Law Firm or from the individual writer. Additionally, it is not meant to replace professional legal advice. Readers should not base their actions or decisions to abstain from actions solely on the information found in or available through this site. Instead, they should seek tailored legal or other expert counsel regarding their specific situation from an attorney or other professional authorized to practice in the reader’s state, nation, or other relevant licensing area.