Going through a car accident can be a terrifying situation. There is a lot of information to process in the seconds after you hear screeching tires and crunching metal.
The order of thoughts is different for every person and each circumstance. Some think of their injuries, while others may think of the damage to their vehicle.
Here’s what you should do right after a car accident.
Get safe
After the cars stop, there could still be hazards in the roadway. Often accidents occur on busy stretches of road or in intersections. There are likely other vehicles that need to get through the accident, or there could be oncoming traffic that cannot see everyone who is injured.
First, get you and your vehicle safely out of the way. Then, if you can help others at the scene, guide them to a safer place, too.
Call for help
Regardless of the level of injury and damage, you will need to call 911 and file a police report. Once everyone is safe, call 911 so emergency services can come to the scene.
You should also be prepared to guide EMTs and officers to the people who have the most extensive injuries. The police will ask for information such as:
- All drivers’ names and contact information
- Drivers’ insurance information
- Statements from people involved in the accident
As much as you can, it is important to remain calm and try to keep the scene safe. While gathering information from the accident scene is important, you should not risk your safety.