Car accidents happen every day in Illinois, and there are around 6 million car accidents annually across the U.S. Even if you’re only involved in a minor fender-bender, the experience can be traumatic. Here are some important things to remember to do in the moments following any auto accident:
#1: Check to make sure everyone is OK
The first and most important thing to do after any car accident is to check if everyone is OK. You may also need to help others to get out of the middle of the road. If someone is seriously injured it may be dangerous to move them, so you may have to wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive.
#2: Get out of danger, but remain at the scene
To prevent a subsequent accident, you should move your vehicle to the side of the road. If you are not able to do that, try to at least get yourself to a safe location. Remember that it is illegal to leave the scene of motor vehicle accidents that you were involved in before you have spoken with the police.
#3: Call 911
You should call 911 as soon as you can after any car accident. When police arrive, try to write down the badge numbers and contact information and then get a copy of the police report. Make sure to get evaluated by medical personnel no matter how good you feel after the accident.
Documenting a car accident
Unless you are seriously injured in a car accident, you should try to document the accident scene as much as possible. If you have a cell phone camera, try to collect photos and videos from the scene. In some cases, you’ll have to collect information about the car accident later on by speaking with witnesses or requesting police reports.