Being involved in a car accident can be an extremely stressful situation. However, it is important that you remain calm and make sure that you handle everything accordingly. Regardless of who is at fault for the accident, there are three things that you must do when you have been in a car accident.

Stop, Look and Exchange Information

One of the most important things that you will need to do when you have been involved in an accident is to stop and survey the damage. By not stopping, you could be charged with leaving the scene of an accident, which can mean you will have to pay some pretty hefty fines.

You should also be careful to look over all the damage that has been done and meticulously take pictures of the scene, if possible. You should also keep in mind the particular laws that are in place in regards to calling a police officer after an accident. Many major cities have strict rules that require you to simply exchange information with the other driver if there are no injuries.

It is also best to move the vehicles to a safe location if possible, but only if it is completely safe to do so. If your car is not in a drivable condition, you will need to wait for assistance to arrive and avoid attempting to move anything. In this situation, it is best to turn on your emergency blinkers so that others will be warned of the situation.

Call your Insurance Company

Even if you are not at fault, you will want to give your insurance company a call. There are situations when your insurance may need to take over the repairs for your vehicle. For example, if the other party does not have adequate insurance or if the repairs exceed the amount that is allowed according to their policy.

If your vehicle has been totaled, you will need to have your insurance information updated anyway, so it’s best to get the process started sooner rather than later. You should also inquire about the use of a rental car when you call in your accident and determine if your insurance will cover the rental vehicle as well.

Visit your Doctor or the ER

Remember that most of the pain that you are feeling at the moment will be greatly increased after the adrenaline has worn off. You should always visit with a doctor immediately following a vehicular accident. Oftentimes, injuries can resurface several days, if not years in the future if not properly cared for.

However, if you do not visit the ER or your doctor in relation to the auto accident, the injuries will never be reported as an injury sustained by the accident you experienced. This means that if you find out later that you have spinal injuries from the accident several weeks later, you may be forced to pay for any treatments out of pocket.

Conclusion

A car accident can be a very serious situation where lives are in danger. If you ever find yourself in one, it is best to remain as calm as possible and try to keep yourself safe at all times. You should always wear your seatbelt while you are traveling in a vehicle in order to remain safe throughout the journey.

However, when an accident does occur, you will need to be proactive and make sure that your health is being taken care of. You should never brush off a minor ache with the thought that it will go away in a few days. It is best to have it checked out by a doctor, no matter what.