Safety is always the first priority if you get into a car accident. If there are no life-threatening injuries or scenarios, move your car off to the side of the road and out of the way to keep you and other motorists safe. This also helps to keep the traffic flow as regular as possible until help has arrived.
Here are 7 steps to follow that will expedite first responder and legal assistance while keeping you, your passengers, and other accident victims safe and cared for.
If anyone has signs of serious injury, move forward with calling 9-1-1. Otherwise, there’s no need to bring ambulances or fire trucks to an accident scene where everyone has safely walked away. In that case, call the local police department. This helps to establish a clear report of everyone’s experience early on, before time and retelling shifts the story and details from being fresh in your mind.
You want to stand out as much as possible to avoid being hit by other cars. Always use your flashers right away. If visibility is low due to clouds, fog, or nighttime conditions, access your emergency roadside kit and use any flashers, flares, or lights that will signal your presence to other drivers.
Smartphones have made this easier than ever because you can snap a picture of the other drivers’ DL license, vehicle registration, license plate, and auto insurance card. If you don’t have your phone on you or the battery is dead, write down the information on a piece of paper. Odds are you are going to be a little shaky and nervous, so check and double-check any handwritten information to make sure it’s correct.
Also, get the names of other vehicles’ passengers or any witnesses that stop and are describing what they saw. This information can help you later on when your insurance agent takes over. If your phone has a recording feature, it’s smart to record what they saw in their own voice - stating their name, age, address, phone number, and then their recollection of what happened.
Once you’ve taken these steps, treat the situation as if you’ve broken down on the side of the road. Contact a local towing company, your roadside assistance number, or AAA (if you’re a member) to have your car removed. It typically takes an average of 20 minutes for two trucks to arrive on the scene. Once we’re there, we can begin loading the wrecked cars out of the way once
While you’re waiting for your tow truck to arrive, continue getting the information listed in #3 and #4. Also, take time/date-stamped pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident. This provides your insurance carrier with “real-time” evidence of the scene. If road features, climate conditions, or factors contributed to the accident, take pictures of those as well.
Don’t be afraid to take pictures of all sides of each vehicle. If someone says, “Oh, that dent isn’t from today, it’s been there for a while,” take note of that as well. The more information you can hand your insurance agent, the better.
The adrenaline rush from an accident can last for hours or even days. Embarrassment can make us say things like, “Oh, I’m okay, really! I feel just fine,” at the scene. Then, down the road, issues can crop up. Schedule an appointment with your general physician and/or a chiropractor within the first few days after your accident.
The combination of their images and a physical exam may highlight inflammation, sprains, whiplash, severe bruising, or other injuries you haven’t noticed yet. These need to be reported to your insurance carrier.
With winter weather right around the corner, we wish everyone a safe drive around the Bay Area and on their holiday travels. If you do find yourself in an accident, follow these seven steps and give us a call here at J & T Towing. (707) 356-4613. We’ll provide you with moral support and the safe transport of your car to the garage of your choice.
