It is an unfortunate fact of life that car accidents take place daily nationwide. In America, it is estimated that approximately 17,250 car crashes occur daily, and these can range from minor bumps causing minor vehicle cosmetic damage to extremely serious road traffic accidents that require an emergency services response. Put simply, the act of driving is a dangerous practice at times. This is especially true when there are poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, which can make controlling your car increasingly difficult. If you have ever had a car accident, you will know that it can be a traumatic and frightening experience. However, it is important to remain calm and think logically to ensure that the aftermath of the accident can be dealt with effectively. In this article, three key steps to take in the event of a car crash will be discussed.
At the Scene
Once a collision has taken place, there are some important factors to consider. Firstly, it is important to stop at the scene of the crash and not attempt to drive away. It is an offense to leave the scene of a car crash in most countries. For example, in the UK, not stopping at the scene of a road traffic crash in which you were involved contravenes the Road Traffic Act. After stopping, it is important to switch off the vehicle engine (to minimize the risks of vehicle fire), check yourself and any passengers for signs of injury, and switch on the vehicle warning lights to highlight the crash to other road users. Exit the vehicle, if it is safe to do so, and move to a suitable place away from the road so that you can speak to any other involved drivers.
Who to Contact
In the event of a car crash, there need to be some main organizations involved to who you will need to report. Firstly, you will need to inform the police or other emergency services depending on the nature and severity of the accident. If an accident occurs when you are travelling abroad, you will still need to do this and you can find a list of international emergency service numbers here. After alerting the authorities, you will need to contact your vehicle insurance provider to report the accident and begin the process of making an insurance claim. Remember to provide full and thorough details promptly and ensure that you exchange insurance details with any other drivers who were involved in the crash.
Defective Vehicle Issues
In some circumstances, you may believe that the crash was caused by a defect in your vehicle which caused the car to lose control whilst being driven. In this situation, it may be important to contact a team of defective vehicle lawyers who specialise in accident claims relating to vehicle defects. If there is clear evidence to indicate that the accident was not due to driver error and was directly caused by a defective component in the vehicle, there may be a case to claim compensation from the vehicle manufacturer. If you believe this to be the case, it is important to make a thorough account of what happened and provide dash cam footage, if you have such a device.
