The number
of road traffic accidents has increased dramatically in the last several years.
Unfortunately, they are the leading cause of death by injury or permanent severe
injuries globally. Being involved in a car accident can be a scary and
confusing experience. Although it is not a nice thought, car accidents may
happen to all of us for several reasons. Therefore, it is always better to be safe than
sorry and to know exactly what you should do in such a situation. Your immediate
actions, after the accident has happened, could have a significant
impact on its long-term fallout. Whether it is a gentle sideswipe or a major
collision and whether it is your fault or the fault of the other driver, taking
the right steps may help you prevent an already bad situation from getting even
worse.
Stop and Remain Calm
No matter
how minor you think that the car accident is, you must stop. It is not only the
best thing for your safety but failing to do so is also an offense under the
Road Traffic Act. Immediately after the collision has happened, you need to
make sure that your car’s engine is switched off and your hazard lights on to
alert other road users of your presence. Under no circumstance, one driver who
has been involved in a car accident should leave the scene. Being involved in a
road accident may also trigger confusing feelings that may influence the person
involved to react in anger or fear. Therefore, you need to remain as calm as
possible to properly deal with the situation that you are involved in.
Keep Safety First and Call for Medical Assistance If Needed
First and
foremost, after suffering a car accident you have to make sure that you have
sustained no injuries in the crash. Keep in mind that the adrenaline may make
your emotions run high so you may not feel any pain immediately. Before moving
outside of the car, check yourself thoroughly so that you avoid
any risk of aggravating any unnoticed injury. Next, ensure that no
one else involved in the accident has suffered any severe injury which could
put their lives in danger and trigger a worse come out of the crash. In case
you discover that there are any injuries that need urgent medical attention,
do not make any move until the medical assistance arrives. Due to the adrenaline
and the confusing emotions that you may feel, you may be unable to adequately
assess the situation. Therefore, it is better to seek professional help than to
put others or yourself in danger.
Determine the Fault and Assess the Damage of Your Vehicle
Once you
have ensured that no person has suffered any severe injury, you need to take
the steps for finding the right solution for your situation. You should start by
checking
your car for damage. It is important to ensure that the damages have
not transformed your vehicle into danger for you and the other traffic
participants. Assess the damage of your vehicle to understand what the
reparation of it may imply. Determining the fault is vital to be done
immediately. For anything but the most minor collisions, it is best to call the
police. Although the accident does not involve any victim, the police have the
authority to determine exactly whose fault it is and has to pay for the
damages. In states like Maryland, which is an “at-fault” state, understanding the legal implications of fault in car accidents is crucial. Maryland is an “at-fault” state, and knowing your rights and responsibilities can significantly impact the outcome of any claims or legal actions that follow. However, if you decide that you and the other driver may solve the conflict without having to take any legal actions, you need to exchange contact details with the other driver. Beware the hit and run drivers who do not stop and leave the accident scene immediately." To determine who you are dealing with
and if you may trust the other driver, ask for their phone number. Performing a
reverse
phone lookup is the best solution to find out who the other driver
is. All you have to do is to search the number and get all the relevant
information associated with it such as social media accounts, address history,
and even more. If you find any suspicious detail
which makes you unable to trust the other driver, it is better to call the
police to take the situation under control.
Photograph and Document the Accident
Documenting
the accident scene may prove to be extremely helpful in the following actions
after the crash. The other driver, the environmental conditions, or even
weather conditions may change what has really happened. Take
photographs to all the damages of all vehicles which have been
involved in the accident. In your documentation include photos that reveal the
overall context of the crash including road conditions, intersection site,
traffic signs, and traffic lights. Keep a record of all pertinent information
concerning the incident including the time, date, and location of the accident,
involved parties, witnesses, and even the police officers who have arrived at
the scene.
Use Other Transportation Method to Leave the Scene
After you
have taken care of all the details and steps that you immediately need to take
after being involved in a car accident, all you want to do is to leave the
scene and relax after the confusing experience. Certainly, you do not feel comfortable with
leaving your car at the scene of the collision and use another transportation
method to get back home. However, it is the wisest idea to consider for several
reasons. First of all, you may have failed to adequately assess the damage that
your vehicle has suffered. Therefore, once you leave on the road again, your
car may become a real danger both to you and to the other traffic participants.
Even if the accident seems to be only a gentle sideswipe, your vehicle may have
suffered more serious damages which may be difficult to notice immediately. It
is better to use another safe transportation method and have your vehicle
checked by a professional before you start the engine again and run it on the
road.