What To Do After a Minor Car Accident

A minor car accident can be an incident where you may be scrambling to figure out what to do next. While it can be stressful, it is important to remain calm and take the necessary steps. This guide will go over the following tips on what you need to do should you find yourself in a minor car accident. It is important to make sure you handle the situation with a clear head and be aware of the fact that you may have legal rights and obligations after the fact.

Things To Do After a Minor Car Accident

Ready to check out this guide? Here’s a look now at everything that you need to know.

Prioritize Your Safety

After an accident, make sure that you and everyone who is traveling with you are safe. Be sure to move your vehicle to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. Be sure to call emergency medical services if there are any immediate injuries. Keep in mind that such injuries may not always be immediate such as whiplash (which we will explain later on).

Document The Scene

It is paramount that you document the scene and gather as much evidence as possible. This will be helpful whenever you need to build a strong claims case for your insurance company. Should any legal consultation be necessary, documentation will help make the process a lot easier in your favor. DM Injury Law knows that with the proper documentation, our attorneys will represent you on your behalf to get the judgment that you deserve.

As for documentation, be sure to take pictures or videos of any damage from numerous angles. Get license plates of all involved parties, road signs, traffic lights, skid marks, or any visible injuries. You should also note the details such as the time, location, weather, and traffic conditions among others.

Exchange Information

Be sure to exchange contact and insurance information with the other party. Be cordial in your conversations and never discuss fault. This can be used against you at some point later on. From there, it is important to take the next step forward.

File a Police Report

Filing a police report for a minor accident will be important. In fact, some jurisdictions require it by law for you to do so. Make sure that you contact local law enforcement as soon as possible and request a report when you can do so safely. This is an important piece of documentation that you will need when it comes time to file an insurance claim or consult with an attorney (if necessary).

Get Checked By A Medical Professional

Even though the accident seems minor, some injuries may not manifest until days later including whiplash and similar conditions. It is important that you get checked out by a medical professional so you can be able to get additional documentation that may be needed for insurance claims or legal proceedings. The sooner you get checked by a medical professional, the better - especially when the elements of personal injury need to be addressed. 

Notify The Insurance Company

Finally, it is important to make sure you notify your insurance company. Before you do this, we encourage you to consult with a lawyer. The reason for this is that insurance companies are notorious for lowballing their policyholders. It should be in your best interest to get the fair settlement you deserve that will cover any financial hardships you have faced as a result of the accident. 

Again, do not admit fault or make statements that risk the possibility of admitting it. This can hurt your insurance claim. In some states, you may lose a percentage of your compensation if both you and the other party are at fault. This is known as comparative negligence.

Final Thoughts

A minor car accident can be stressful. Yet, you can be able to take the next steps to handle the situation. This guide has outlined the tips that you need to follow so you can be able to navigate some of the complex obstacles that stand in the way between you and getting the judgement that you deserve. Once again, be sure to perform the necessary tasks when it’s safe to do so and avoid admitting fault at any time.