Follow these steps to protect your health, your finances, and your future.
There are more than 6.1 million car crashes reported to the police every year in the U.S. That’s nearly 17,000 crashes per day.
Crashes, including those here in West Virginia, are an all-too-common occurrence. They can also be stressful, damaging, and result in serious injury or even death. And because car crashes happen unexpectedly, they can leave those involved feeling overwhelmed, shaken, and unsure about what to do next.
Hopefully, neither you nor those you care about will ever be involved in a car crash, especially a serious one. But, in the unfortunate event that you are, you need to know what you should do in the critical moments that follow.
Why having a plan is important
While it might sound strange to plan ahead for an accident, having a simple plan for what to do should one occur can help you stay calm and protect yourself. It can also impact both your safety and any future insurance or legal claims.
The attorneys at Tiano O’Dell remind you that if you are involved in a car crash you should do the following.
- Check for injuries and move to safety
If you are involved in a crash, immediately turn on your hazard lights. And to help prevent any further damage or injury, if possible, move your vehicles out of traffic and to a safe location, such as to the side of the road or into a grassy median.
Remember, your health and safety always take priority over any damage to your vehicle. That’s why after a crash you should first check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
Be sure to call 911 as soon as possible if anyone is injured, or if the vehicles involved or debris from the crash is any way obstructing the street or roadway.
- Call law enforcement
West Virginia drivers should report crashes involving injuries, significant damage, or unsafe road conditions. Even if the crash appears to be a minor fender-bender, you should still contact the police.
When police officers arrive, they can help gather critical information. Insurance companies often rely heavily on official police reports to determine liability and assess the scope of the claims and what they will be willing to pay. This information will also prove critical should you decide to pursue a legal case.
In some instances, the other driver involved in the crash may try to discourage you from contacting law enforcement. Their motivation might be that they suspect they may be at fault or that a police-reported crash might potentially result in more expensive auto insurance premiums.
Remember, however, you have no obligation to agree to this. If you believe law enforcement should be contacted, do so.
- Exchange information
All drivers should readily share the following information with the other driver or drivers involved in the crash:
- Their name
- Their contact information (including phone number)
- Their insurance information
- Their license plate number
- The make and model of their vehicle
During this exchange, you’ll want to stay calm and respectful. You’ll also want to avoid arguing or assigning blame at the scene.
- Document the accident scene
Jot down notes or, better yet, take photos of the accident scene, so that you adequately capture vehicle damage and visible injuries. You’ll also want to document weather and road conditions, and any traffic signs or signals that might be pertinent to the crash.
If there were witnesses, get their names and contact information, if possible.
- Be careful what you say
Car crashes can be stressful. What’s more, there might be an extended wait time for law enforcement or emergency vehicles to arrive on the scene.
The combination of having shared a traumatic experience with other people, wanting to tamp down the tension in the air, and the tendency to fill time spent waiting with conversation can often lead drivers to say things they later regret.
While you won’t want to be rude or uncommunicative, you’ll want to keep conversations factual.
You’ll especially want to avoid discussing who might be at fault. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can sometimes be misunderstood or unfairly exploited by an insurance company.
It’s best to let the fault for the accident be determined later, once the crash has been investigated.
- Always seek medical attention — even if you feel fine
The adrenaline rush of a car crash can mask injuries—even serious ones.
Some symptoms or injuries may not become apparent until hours or even days later. These can include neck pain, headaches, back pain, or dizziness. And if an insurance company moves to settle a claim quickly—and you sign an agreement—you may forfeit your right to connect the full extent of your injuries to the crash.
Always seek medical attention following a crash, even if you feel okay. If your injuries surface later, your medical records will be critical to establishing that you sustained injuries in the crash that may not be immediately noticeable.
- Be smart when dealing with insurance companies
In theory, auto insurance exists to help make things right after a car crash. But the interests of the various parties associated with a crash—including the insurance companies themselves—can make dealing with them tricky. Indeed, not being vigilant when dealing with insurance companies is one of the most common ways people accidentally hurt their claims.
You should always report the crash promptly to your insurance company. Also, when dealing with your or other drivers’ insurance companies, be sure to stick to the facts.
And never give recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance company without understanding your rights.
- Keep track of everything
The more information you can accumulate and hang onto about the crash the better.
Be sure to save all medical bills, repair estimates, prescription receipts, documentation related to missed work, and records of all communications you have with insurance companies.
Remember this rule of thumb when it comes to documents related to your crash: When in doubt, keep it.
Good documentation can reduce stress later in the process, whether you’re looking to settle your claim or deciding to pursue legal action.
- Understand when to speak with an attorney
When it comes to car crashes, insurance companies basically have two priorities: to settle claims as quickly as possible and to settle them as inexpensively as possible.
But remember, those aren’t your priorities. Being treated fairly and receiving appropriate compensation are what should matter to you.
That’s where consulting an attorney comes in. An attorney can represent you, protect your rights, and help you get the compensation you deserve. And while contacting an attorney may not make sense in all cases, you’ll want to do so if the crash resulted in:
- Serious injuries to you or others involved in the crash.
- The need for long-term medical treatment
- Disagreement about who is at fault
- Delays by an insurance company to settle a claim or authorize a payout.
- A low settlement offer from an insurance company
Plan, be prepared, and, if needed, seek help
Crashes are stressful but knowing what to do if you’re involved in one can help protect your health, your finances, and your future.
And remember, while it’s always important to be prepared for the worst, the best way for West Virginia drivers to avoid car crashes is to always practice safe driving.
If you’re involved in a car crash and have questions, the team at Tiano O’Dell is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
