Here are Your Responsibilities When Involved in an Accident

Accidents can occur anytime, anywhere. They can arise in the workplace, on the road, in a mall, around the neighborhood, or on someone else’s property. They can even happen in the hospital when getting treatment for a health concern. Despite the kind of accident you fall victim to, one thing is common. Depending on the severity of the injuries sustained, most accidents don’t come cheap to recover completely.

Car accidents are specifically quite overwhelming to navigate, especially if you sustain injuries after the crash or collision. In addition to medical costs, most of them leave the victims with lifelong scars and psychological trauma that can last years. This is not to mention the possibility of disability, time away from work, and even lost spouses in some instances. Nonetheless, it can be a little bit easier to navigate the aftermath of an accident if you know your responsibilities and heed them.

With this having been mentioned, here are your responsibilities when involved in an accident.

1. Get to safety and Determine Injuries

When involved in an accident, you are probably in shock, and so many things are crisscrossing your mind. You cannot even think straight but do not lose it yet. You have survived. Without leaving the accident scene, get to a safer location away from oncoming traffic and check if you have any injuries. If none, check those involved and see if there is anyone who needs urgent medical attention. If any, get emergency services to attend to them. While at it, do not move the vehicles, wait for the police to arrive.

2. Contact a Lawyer 

After getting involved in an accident, you should contact an accident attorney, one of the first few things you should do. This is because many complexities revolve around car accidents, and you could quickly be accused of being at fault or even denied compensation if you are the victim. Well, Vancouver car accident lawyer Manjot Hallen and his team of legal practitioners say that things can get overwhelming and confusing fast after an accident. Thankfully, an experienced attorney can help you secure the fair compensation you deserve if you are a victim of a vehicle accident. They can help you recover several damages, including:

• Medical bills
• Related treatment costs
• Lost wages
• Disability
• Pain and suffering

They can either negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance or represent your compensation case in court to get you the justice you deserve.

3. Protect the Scene

During an accident, some situations could cause more accidents if the drivers are not keen. That is why you are always advised to set up flares and turn your flashers on. If you feel completely insecure about where your car is, especially if it is at night, move it to the side as you wait for the police to respond. The roads are unpredictable, but you do not have to make the situation worse.

4. Contact the Police

In some cases, the car owners decide to settle the issue civilly. That is their choice. You can choose to go the civil way, but the legal route is always the best for assurance and safety purposes. It would be best if you involved the police no matter how minor the accident is. You will need the police report to file a claim with your insurance company. Additionally, avoid moving your car unless the accident is causing heavy traffic.

5. Exchange Information

Accidents have never been intentional so make the situation manageable. Get to talk to those involved and create a report: exchange personal information and their vehicle insurance policy. The most important details that you should obtain include full names and contacts, car details, insurance policy number, driver’s license, and plate number. Do not discuss fault. It can trigger a conversation that will lead to a disagreement. If there are witnesses, get their information too, they will ease the investigation process when the attorney reaches out.

6. Make Accurate Records

You can go blank when asked to explain what happened before the accident. After all, it was not planned. So chances are, you may not have chronological accounts of what happened. It is okay, but be sure not to give speculative Information. If you cannot remember anything, say it as it is. Guesswork and assumptions will only complicate the process. If you are asked a question and do not know what to say, say you are not sure instead of saying yes or no. That will be something close to what the other passengers or passengers will say. 

7. Take Pictures

Where words cannot speak, pictures do. They are worth a thousand words. The camera on your phone is enough to obtain photo evidence that can be used in court. Take a photo of the vehicle and if you have any visible injuries, have them captured. If able to take a video, go ahead and save yourself the agony of claiming without being compensated. There are instances where one driver gives contradictory statements to make the other look careless. But with tangible shreds of evidence, you can get justice. It sometimes seems like too much work, but it is worth every shot.

Finally, do not forget to get checked by a medical practitioner; however minor your injuries might appear. Internal injuries are pretty common in accidents, and some of them may even go unnoticed for days when it is too late. The doctor’s report will also come in handy when seeking compensation.