Safety Tips for After an Accident Occurs

Traffic accidents are certainly a reality all of us face each day during our daily commutes, or on long trips. In fact, about 10 million accidents occur each year, which boils down to about one accident every 18 years for the average American driver. Unfortunately, distracted driving accounts for a large majority of the reason for accidents, which outweighs things like drunk driving, and hazardous road conditions. In the case that you do get in an accident, we wanted to provide helpful tips to ensure safety for both drivers after an accident has occurred.

• Pull off the road, if possible- A small fender bender typically will not render your car immobile upon impact. If the accident is not severe, it is a good idea to get both cars off of the road to avoid a rear end accident from traffic coming from behind. 
• Determine if you have suffered any severe injury- It is never a good idea to force yourself to move after an accident has occurred. If the impact was severe enough, moving from your vehicle can actually cause more harm then good. If you find yourself in extreme pain, do not get out immediately. Call 911 as soon as the accident occurs, and allow the ambulance to assist you in exiting the vehicle. 
• Check on the other party- In the case that you have not suffered a major injury, it is a good idea to check on the other person involved in the collision. Collect any insurance information they have, as well as information from the tow company if either of the vehicles are towed. 
• File report with police, record any witnesses-Witness testimonials are a way to help give context to the accident, as well as having a third perspective. Ask any witnesses to stay until the police arrive to have their statements recorded. 

Above all, having a firm recognition of the situation at hand is truly the best piece of advice after any collision. If you are in extreme pain, it is not a good idea to try to move yourself from the situation because it can cause you more harm then good. If there is suspicion that you or the other party may be in need of medical assistance, call an ambulance right away. Obeying any police orders is crucial to ensuring an accurate police report, as well as remaining safe after the accident has happened. Above all, using common sense in any scenario is truly the surefire way or proceeding with the utmost caution, making sure no one gets injured along the way. For additional information on what to do after an accident, check out Car Care's article here!

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