Automotive

What to Do If You’re Involved in a Car Accident

Drivers today are safer than ever before and so are the cars that they drive. However, road traffic accidents still happen, whether it’s due to bad road conditions, aggressive road users, or weather situations. If you have found yourself in a road collision through no fault of your own, then you might be faced with some frustration and difficulty. Whether you’ve been involved in a major or minor accident, we’ve listed some of the best things to do in order to ensure that you deal with the situation smoothly.

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#1. Contact Law Enforcement:

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident that is no fault of your own, then the first thing that you will need to do is make sure that law enforcement is aware. Contacting the police as soon as possible means that they will be able to assess the situation and get official records of the accident that you can use should you have to go to court. Working together with law enforcement to get to the bottom of your accident can help to speed the process up.

#2. Call Your Insurance Company:

If your car has been damaged in an accident that was not your fault, you will need to let your insurance company know as soon as possible. Be sure to get the details of any other drivers involved in the collision as you may be able to get a pay out on their insurance in order to repair any damage to your vehicle and pay any medical bills that are needed. If any witnesses were present, ask them to provide details too.

#3. Get Legal Assistance:

In many cases, it is possible to come to an agreement with any other drivers that you’ve collided with on the road without going to court.  However, depending on the type of issue that you are dealing with, don’t rule out a potential court visit. Having a motor vehicle accident lawyer who specializes in road traffic accidents will give you peace of mind whilst you put things back together after your road accident.

#4. Don’t Discuss the Case:

If you have been involved in a nasty car accident, then it’s normal to want to tell people about it. However, discussing your case before it goes to court can have serious consequences. This is especially important if the other party’s insurance company is threatening to put blame on you for an accident that was not your fault, or if the driver who caused the damage is refusing to admit liability. Keeping things to yourself and your lawyer will give you a higher chance of winning.

#5. Talk to Witnesses:

If there were any witnesses to your accident, it’s a good idea to talk to them as they might be able to provide you with evidence that you were previously unaware of, for example, dash-cam footage. It could be an encounter with a witness that helps you to eventually win your case.

Nobody enjoys being involved in a road accident, but if your vehicle is damaged or you are hurt whilst on the road, it’s important to be prepared.