No one wants to get caught up in a car accident, but it doesn’t matter how safely you drive or how many gadgets and gizmos you install in your vehicle to prevent them, you can’t control the behavior of others. That means you always have to stay alert on the road.
If despite your best efforts, you are unfortunate enough to get into an accident, there are a few things you should never do in the aftermath for a whole host of reasons. Here are some of the most important:
Leave Your Vehicle in the Road
If you get into an accident, it might not always be possible, but if you can, you should get your car out of the road and off to the side. Simply parking it in the road and getting out of your vehicle, especially on a busy freeway, for example, is extremely dangerous, not only for you but for other road users. Do whatever you can to get to the side and then call the authorities in.
Flee
If you happen to be the cause of an accident, any cop will tell you that the worst thing you could possibly do is flee. Chances are, if you do, you’ll get caught on camera and you’ll be found. Then, you’ll quite probably be in trouble with the law and possibly forced to pay out a lot of money in compensation. Even if it’s just a ding, do the responsible thing and own up to what you’ve done.
Clean Up the Mess
So, your car is wrecked, and there’s debris all over the place you might think that you’ll be helping if you try to clear it up, but actually, you could be putting yourself at danger. Any personal injury legal professional will tell you that, although you may be able to get compensation for an accident that was caused by another party on the road, you won’t get anything for putting yourself in danger and y’know, medical bills are pretty high! Then, there’s the risk of causing another road user to have an accident to consider too! Let a professional wrecking crew deal with the aftermath – it’s best all around.
Not Call the Authorities
If you have an accident on the road, even if it feels fairly minor, it is probably a good idea to at least phone it into the local authorities, so that they can make a record of it, not only because you are legally obliged to do so in some states, but also, should you need to make an insurance claim, you will need as much proof backing you up as you can. Call the police.
Assume You’re Fine
If you’ve been in a collision, even if you feel fine and it seems like you have nothing more than a few cuts and bruises to contend with, never discount the fact that you might have been hurt more than you think. If you don’t trouble the emergency room, then at the very least, keep an eye on yourself for signs of more serious injury like concussion, and tell someone close what’s happened so they can do the same. It’s shocking how many drivers brush things off and end up seriously ill as a result.
Leave others to Deal with It
If your accident involved other people, then you really should take the time to check they’re okay and help them out as best you can. I know you might be busy, in shock, or more concerned about your own family, but giving a little time and thought to your fellow man is something that you should always aim to do. In fact, it could help to keep you all safer than if you try to deal with the accident separately.
Get Into a Fight
You might be 100 percent sure that it was that one guy in front who caused you all to end up in a collision, but try not to get all confrontational, or even worse, into a fight with anyone at the scene of an accident. That’ll just mean one more police report, more trauma and possibly even the worsening of injuries. It’s not worth it.
Don’t Admit Responsibility
Any lawyer will tell you it’s a bad idea to admit responsibility on the scene, even if you think you were. Let the authorities investigate – that’s the best way to get to the truth of the matter without incriminating yourself possibly erroneously.
Don’t do any of this stuff when you find yourself caught up in a car accident and you’ll be just fine.
