Being involved in a road mishap is an unfortunate scenario that nobody wants to be part of. However, there are instances wherein the likelihood of accidents is greater, particularly under unfavorable weather or road conditions. Should you find yourself involved in a serious traffic accident, below are some of the most important things that you need to do immediately after.

Call 911

The first thing that you need to do after a serious traffic accident is to call 911 immediately. In this way, anyone who sustained serious injuries will be treated promptly, saving their lives accordingly. The 911 emergency responders will also notify the police to go to the scene of the accident. They will be able to mandate the flow of traffic to mitigate further accidents and investigate why this road mishap occurred.

The police will most likely file a report of their investigation and as much as possible, get a copy of this report because this is a beneficial piece of evidence that can help you with your insurance claim later on. In case no one is severely injured, you should still call 911 or the police to notify them of the accident. In some states, this is legally required. However, if the police can’t come to the scene, and no one is seriously hurt, you should still go to the nearest police station to file a report about the accident.

Document the Accident

While waiting for the emergency responders to arrive, try to document the accident. If you can, make sure to take pictures of the scene before towing services clear up the road mishap. Images serve as a substantial piece of evidence to prove fault later on as necessary when you file for a claim. Try to take pictures from different angles to cover the damage done to the vehicles involved.

As soon as the police arrive, identify the officers handling the scene and make sure to get a copy of the report they file later on. Try to take down names of witnesses too if there are any and request for their contact information to ensure that you will be able to get in touch with them as needed. Keep and organize all the documents that you have gathered from the accident. Just keep in mind that it is alright if there is no way for you to document the scene because of your injuries. The most important thing is still your well-being as well as the safety of the other people involved in the accident.

Exchange Information

Another thing that you can do while waiting for the emergency responders to arrive is to exchange information with the other people involved in the accident. Some of the details that you need to ask from the other party include their full name and contact number, as well as their insurance provider and if possible, their policy number. You should also take note of their driver’s license and license plate number.

Additionally, you should also take note of the type, color, and model of their vehicle, as well as the exact location of the accident. Remember though that the other party may ask you to provide the same information that you asked from them. Furthermore, you should also note that you can only do this if both you and the other party are not seriously hurt.

Call Your Insurance Provider

Finally, make sure to call your insurance provider after a car accident to notify them of the road mishap that happened. Initially, your medical bills will most likely be handled by your medical insurance provider but you should also notify your auto insurance promptly. Calling your insurance providers while you are still at the scene will start the claims process. In addition to this, they will also be able to guide you when it comes to identifying the things that you need to process your claim.

If necessary, you can also get in touch with a personal injury lawyer to seek advice when it comes to the claims process. With their help, there is a great chance for you to maximize your claim.

After being involved in a serious traffic accident, make sure to call 911 immediately to ensure that those who sustained severe injuries will be treated promptly. In case you and the other parties involved suffered only minor injuries, make sure to document the accident and exchange information. Don’t forget to get in touch with your insurance provider as well. The key is in remaining calm for you to be able to think clearly even after this traumatic experience.