What To Do After A Car Accident in Wilmington, Delaware

Even though most individuals know what to do following a vehicle accident, it doesn’t hurt to review the basics again. This is what you should do in the event of an accident.

1. Stay at the scene

In the event of an accident, you must stay put. If the accident is severe and the other motorist sustains injuries but you do not, you have a moral obligation to help them.

If you are involved in an automobile accident and you leave the scene without sharing information or speaking to a police officer, you may lose your driving privileges even if no one was seriously wounded. Keep close to the accident location, but move your car to the shoulder if you can.

2. Call 911

Call 911 as you check on the well-being of other motorists and passengers at the accident scene. The following details should be provided to the operator:

• Your exact location
• The direction where you intend to go
• Any landmarks, such as nearby crossroads or mile signs, that might aid in pinpointing your exact position

If someone is hurt, please call for medical assistance. In the event that you need to file a liability claim in the future, calling 911 is a crucial first step since the operator will send police to the site and a police record will be required as evidence.

3. Do what you can to protect the scene

By increasing the visibility of the area, you can lessen the possibility of more mishaps. Make use of flares and keep your vehicle’s lights on. If it’s evening and your car’s lights aren’t working, use a flashlight to signal your location as you wait in your car or on the shoulder of the road.

4. Document the incident as thoroughly as possible

If the police do show up, be sure to give them a detailed account of what transpired. Don’t make something up.

On the other hand, even if you believe you contributed to the mishap in some way, you should not take responsibility for it. Tell them what took place. Don’t ever respond “no” to a police officer’s question about whether or not you’ve been harmed, even if you’re not sure. Just say you’re not sure if you’re harmed or not. It may take up to two days following a vehicle accident for any injuries, no matter how small, to become apparent.

5. Use the camera on your smartphone

Photograph everything, but especially the obvious signs of damage. Don’t just snap one picture; take a bunch. Take photos of your vehicle and the one being driven by the other person. Take pictures of your surroundings to record specifics like weather, landmarks, and car placement that you might forget later. Document any scuffs with photographs. Take photographs of any injuries you or your passengers sustain.

Don’t interfere with the police as they examine the collision, and snap photos only when it’s safe to do so. It is recommended that the automobiles involved in the collision stay where they are unless they are blocking traffic. Take images of their current location and then their new one if you have to move them.

6. Talk to possible witnesses

If the collision took place on a busy street or highway, it may be difficult to track down those who saw what happened. But, if there are still bystanders hanging around the area, you should respectfully request their contact information. If they decline participation, it’s polite to thank them and go on to the next individual if there is one.

7. Share data

In Delaware, everyone involved in an accident has an equal obligation to exchange contact details at the site. All of the following are components of that data:

• Your full name, mailing address, and phone number
• The number on your driver’s license
• Your license plate information
• The details of your insurance coverage
• You must also share these details with the police officer on the scene

8. Don’t forget to get the police report number

The officer who arrives at the scene of an accident will often provide you with a report number. If they don’t offer to leave you with one, be sure to ask for one before they go. The police record is a crucial part of any accident liability lawsuit, and you may use this number to get it in the future. Also, be sure to get the officer’s name so you may contact them directly if you have any further questions regarding the report you filed.

9. Contact your insurance provider

Notify your insurance provider as soon as you can after the incident. In most cases, insurance providers demand prompt notification of accidents. The claim number can be obtained by asking. Remember that the personal injury protection (PIP) clause of your Delaware insurance policy will pay for your medical expenses and lost income up to the limits of your policy.

10. Seek medical attention

The preceding actions may not have been possible in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic vehicle accident in Delaware, since victims are often treated on the spot by emergency medical workers before being taken to the nearest local hospital. Someone close to you who can be there at the moment of the accident is the best person to rely on for support and assistance while you deal with the aftermath.

Whether you go to the emergency department or schedule an appointment with your regular doctor, you should get medical attention as quickly as possible after any accident, regardless of how severe the injuries may seem. Just say you had an auto accident and need their help. Even a small injury may become more serious in the days after the incident. Be sure to inform the doctor treating you if you experienced a brief loss of consciousness at the time of the accident.

It’s not always easy to spot injuries sustained in car crashes. Our customers typically report the worst discomfort a day or two after their car accident. The spinal cord is extremely vulnerable and can be severely damaged in even low-impact incidents. Concussions and closed head injuries are possible if you were unconscious or confused for any length of time after the impact. If untreated, this might result in alterations to one’s thinking and conduct.