What to Do After A Car Accident

If you've been involved in a car accident, you know how mentally and possibly physically jarring it can be. Even if the accident is smaller, it can leave you feeling shaky and scared for days and weeks. For those of us who drive daily, we need to remember that if an accident occurs there are a few important things we need to do after. Here are a few tips on how to deal with life after a car accident, be it major or minor.

First, directly after the accident you need to determine if you or anyone involved in the accident needs medical attention. If you do need medical help, call an ambulance and stay put. Don't get up and move around as you may have injuries that are less noticeable but that need to be kept immobile. I was involved in an accident a few years back where this tip would have come in handy. On a rainy day a woman was unable to brake fast enough and plowed her car into the back of mine. I felt fine immediately after the accident and didn't seek medical help. A few hours later I noticed a sharp pain in my neck. I have suffered a whiplash injury but didn't know it right away. Had I sought medical help immediately, I probably would have been able to tell something wasn't right with my neck. Because I waited, it exacerbated the problem and made things a lot worse.

Next, make sure you call the police to come and file an accident report. Some people hesitate to call the cops after an accident because they don't want to be issued a ticket. Remember that the police are there to represent both parties in the accident and will be able to help give a more accurate statement to the insurance company should a conflict arise. A general rule of thumb is to call the cops only if there's over a thousand dollars of damage done to your or the other person's car, but you may even want to call if you suspect the damage isn't that severe. It helps to have an objective party involved in an accident statement.

Being involved in an accident is never a pleasant experience. However, if you follow these suggestions you will be able to protect yourself from any conflict that may arise after the fact. Arm yourself with knowledge when you drive and set out with confidence on your daily drive.