Steps Students Must Take If Involved in a Car Accident

Car accidents are overwhelming and scary for anyone involved. The best advice is to remain as calm as possible and focus on taking stock of the situation. A good plan is to keep a notebook in your vehicle or bag with lists of the things you need to take note of in the event of a car accident. As a student involved in a car accident, here’s what you need to know.

Phone Calls to Make

In your notebook, you should have a list of numbers to call. Start with calling 911 and the police to report the accident. Provide as much information as possible regarding medical emergencies, traffic hazards or fire. Give exact details on your location and any other relevant information like the number of vehicles involved. Call your family to inform them of the accident. Then call your insurance company to get an insurance medical claim number. Finally, call a trusted car accident lawyer. Make sure to choose one with experience to ensure you get the right car accident lawyer for you in your specific situation.

Steps to Follow

Take some deep breaths to calm your nerves. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Make sure you or someone else calls for medical assistance. Get to safety but do not leave the scene of the accident. Make sure to switch off your engine, put your hazard lights on and light a road flare if possible.

Gather Information

You need to take down accurate information from all persons involved in the accident. Drivers, passengers and witnesses all need to provide full names and contact details. As well as this, you’ll need insurance company names and policy numbers, driver’s license numbers, vehicle license plate numbers, and the type, model and color of the other vehicles. The time of day, traffic and weather conditions are also important to note. Once the police arrive, be sure to note their names and badge numbers. Report the facts to them without any accusations or admittance of fault and request a copy of the police report. Take photographs of the scene from various angles. Also, take pictures of all visible injuries.

Medical Attention

It is imperative that you seek medical attention. Not all injuries are immediately apparent and these can be life-threatening if left undetected. Tell the attending doctor of all your aches and pains suffered. Follow through on all treatments recommended.

Consult Your Attorney

Your experienced, dedicated and compassionate attorney will advise you to not speak to the other driver’s insurance before consulting with them and never give a recorded or written statement to an insurance adjuster without first consulting your attorney.

Understandably, this is a lot to remember but, if you focus on keeping a clear head and consulting your notebook, you should be able to get through this stressful situation with ease. Your lawyer will be able to advise you on your claim regarding your inability to attend classes or long-term medical expenses. As long as you have collected all the relevant information and made the required reports, your accident experience should be less stressful to deal with. Just take it one step at a time.

Dee
 

Dee is a well-respected business journalist with a deep understanding of global financial markets and a talent for uncovering the stories behind the numbers. With over 20 years of experience covering the business beat, Dee is known for his in-depth reporting and analysis of industry trends, as well as his ability to make complex financial concepts understandable to a wide audience.