The roads are far more congested in the summer, due to the thousands of families traveling with their school-free children. When the kids are out of school, families often take the time to explore together.
Take the family on a safe vacation this year, but make sure everyone understands what to do in the case of an emergency. Not knowing what to do after a car accident can cause further injuries, and even unnecessary death.
Before you start considering a phone call to your lawyer, there are some more immediate steps to take. Here are a few key tips to teach your family on what to do in the case of a car accident.
First things first
The very first thing you need to do in the case of an accident is to check on the well-being of everyone in your vehicle. Take a moment to assess the situation quickly. If anyone is seriously injured, call an ambulance right away and head to the nearest hospital or clinic for immediate medical attention.
Make sure to get treated for any injuries that require immediate attention, such as cuts or wounds that might need stitches. If anyone feels pain in their joints or bones, it’s a good idea to get an x ray in Sparta, NJ (or elsewhere) to check for fractures or other problems. Don’t ignore the head; consider a CT scan, as some brain injuries might not show symptoms right away but could lead to serious issues down the line. Taking these steps ensures you’re prioritizing your family’s safety and well-being after an accident.
Move your vehicle to safety
After you have assessed the well-being of the occupants of your vehicle, move your vehicle to a safer spot. Of course, this step is not always safe or possible. If you can safely relocate your vehicle to another location, go ahead and do it.
Notify the local authorities
Call the local emergency services, as soon as you have the chance. It is likely that someone else has already made the phone call, but it’s good to make contact yourself.
Technology has made it much easier to locate individuals who phone in an emergency, so don’t worry if you don’t know exactly where you are. It makes sense that you might be a bit discombobulated after the accident. Let the computers do the thinking.
Collect hoards of information
Gather information on everyone involved in the accident. Insurance cards, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, and anything else they’re willing to offer could be helpful in the future.
Use your cell phone to thoroughly document the accident. Take pictures before and after you move your vehicle, so the insurance company has an adequate view of who may have caused the wreck. All of this information can be helpful should you need to get in touch with a car accident attorney Las Vegas based or similar at a later date. The more information you can provide, the higher your chances of winning the case and receiving compensation.
Notify your insurance company
After you’ve wrapped up everything at the scene of the accident, you’ll need to make contact with your auto insurance agency. Even if the accident was not your fault, the insurance company will need to gather a slew of information for legal purposes. Keep your agent in the know.