What To Do After A Car Wreck?
The moments immediately following a wreck are often times confusing and frightening. Many people ask me what should they do when the are involved in a wreck - I give the following advice:
1. Evaluate your own injuries
2. Check passengers in your vehcile for injuries
3. Check for injuries in other vehicles
4. Call 911 for help - after all immediate dangers have been addressed (oncoming traffic, engine fires, etc.)
5. Avoid secondary accidents by putting out warning flares or removing the vehicles to the side of the road
6. Get checked out by medical personnel at the scene
7. Provide the responding police officer with the facts he asks for -- if confused or upset, wait to give a statement
8. Notify your insurance agent
9. Gather information while at the scene (names and phone numbers of witnesses, etc.)
Following the wreck be sure to follow-up with your primary care doctor or other physician if you are experiencing pain. Be careful about giving statements to the other driver's insurance company until you have all the facts or have spoken with an attorney first. Often times an attorney can help guide you through issues with insurance coverage such as PIP benefits, recovering your proprety damage deductible, what to do if the other driver is uninsured, and other questions that sometimes arise.
