What To Do After A Car Accident In Salt Lake City, Utah

Trying to figure out what to do in the wake of a vehicle crash may be a very stressful experience. The recent events have probably left you feeling shocked, disoriented, and puzzled.

We’ll review each action you should take following a car crash here. 

• Stay in the scene

The first thing to do after an automobile collision is to stay where you are. Even if you think the collision is small, you should never leave the site. If you leave the scene of an accident without providing assistance, you might be charged with hit-and-run.

• Evaluate for wounds and seek medical attention

Just after an accident, take a few deep breaths to collect your thoughts. In case you or anybody else in the car has been hurt, you should be checked out.

Adrenaline and shock might make it hard to detect injuries at first, but once some time has passed, it’s important to check yourself thoroughly for signs of blood, bruises, or pain. Anyone in need should be reported to the authorities and treated immediately.

• Call 911

When involved in an automobile collision, the next thing to do is to contact emergency services at 911. Notifying the proper authorities is important even if the vehicle collision was small and no serious injuries were sustained. If you’ve been in an automobile accident, you may be obligated by law in your state to report it to the authorities. The authorities will compile a report detailing the collision and any pertinent details they glean from the scene.

• Get in the safe zone

Assuming it’s possible to do so, relocate everyone to a secure area. If the vehicles are functional, move to the side of the road to prevent collisions. A vehicle’s hazard lights should be activated, and flares or pylons should be placed in the roadway to alert oncoming traffic.

Do not move an unconscious person or someone experiencing severe neck or back pain from the scene of an accident until an ambulance comes. If they are in immediate danger, only then should you consider moving them.

• Converse and share data

When the police arrive at the scene of an accident, they will usually gather statements from everyone involved.

If they don’t show up there, the next step to do if you’re in an accident is to swap information with the other people there. Get the following details from the other motorists:

• Complete names
• Insurance details (i.e. company and policy number)
• Details about how to get in touch (i.e. telephone number or email)
• The number of the driver’s license plate

You are going to need all of this information in order to submit a report and also for the sake of your insurance.

It’s also a good idea to get witness information at this time. That way, if it becomes necessary in the future, your lawyer or the police can get in touch with them.

Avoid talking to the other person as much as possible and never take responsibility for anything. You shouldn’t make any claims that might later be used against you.

• Document

Document all you can remember about the crash, from the location to the weather.

• When did the accident occur?
• Where the mishap occurred (i.e., street names and intersections)
• State of the roads
• What was the speed of the two vehicles?
• What caused the disaster and how it happened (i.e. T-bone, rear-end, head-on, etc.)
• Any problems with the vehicles
• Injuries that have been reported
• You should snap pictures of the accident scene if you can. Take photographs of the damaged vehicles and any other adjacent property. Immediately after sustaining injuries in a car crash, you should photograph any visible wounds if at all feasible.

• Tell your insurance company

Most auto insurance policies have a 24-hour notification requirement in the event of an accident. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you file a claim with your insurance carrier and handle any complications that may arise. But if you do make the call, try to be as specific as possible.

The representative will inquire as to the specifics of the incident. Respond truthfully to all queries, but, once again, avoid taking responsibility for anything.

• Talk to a car accident attorney in Utah

It’s also smart to get in touch with a lawyer experienced in vehicle accidents as soon as possible following the incident. An attorney can advise you on the best course of action to take, the information you should and should not disclose, and the words you should and should not use.

You should choose a lawyer with vehicle accident experience if you’ve been hurt in an accident. It’s common knowledge that insurance companies will offer settlements that are far lower than what you’re actually entitled to receive after a vehicle accident.