In modern life, there’s a heavy reliance on the use of cars. These are a vital part of most people’s daily existence, whether it is used to make the morning commute into the office, take the children to after-school activities, or go on a family road trip. Put simply, the car has quickly become an essential part of life since the first mass-produced vehicles were made by Henry Ford in 1913.
However, it’s important to recognize that while car safety has improved year after year, there’s still a perpetual risk of being involved in a car accident. Most people don’t like to dwell on this, but it’s incredibly important to know what to do if you’re involved in a car accident so that you’re abiding by the law and staying safe at the scene of the crash. In this article, three key steps that should be taken after a car accident will be discussed.
1. Switch off the engine
Firstly, it’s of paramount importance that you switch off the engine of your vehicle following a crash. A significant impact on the vehicle can cause both fuel and other flammable fluids to escape from damaged components and this will create a risk of fire. Switching off the engine ensures that fuel isn’t being pumped into the vehicle and any electrical circuits (that could cause ignition of fuel), such as the spark plugs aren’t firing or discharging.
Once you have switched off the engine, check for any injuries that you or your passengers have incurred as a result of the collision and move to a place of safety away from the road once it’s safe to do so.
2. Exchange insurance details
If there’s another vehicle involved in the accident, it’s vital that you speak to the other driver, check that they’re ok, and then swap insurance details. This information will be required by both insurance companies for you and the other driver and will help to make the claims process far smoother and less stressful.
In addition, it’s important to document the events of the crash, such as the date and time, location, and how it happened. If you have a camera phone and it’s safe to do so, take pictures of the scene of the crash and the extent of damage to the vehicles involved.
3. Consider legal advice
Whilst many car accidents are minor in nature and can be quickly resolved, some accidents will result in injuries being sustained to the involved parties. If you’ve been injured as a direct result of a car crash, it’s important to speak to legal specialists. If you live in Florida, search online for an Orlando personal injury law firm.
Many legal firms specialize in personal injury claims that arise after a car accident and will be able to advise if you have grounds to make a claim. If the accident wasn’t your fault and was due to reckless driving from the other party, you may choose to take them to court. If it can be proven that you were injured as a direct result of the accident and the other party is found to be liable, you should expect to receive compensation in line with the injuries that you’ve suffered.
