The 5 Things You MUST DO After Being in an Auto Accident

We have all been there. The moment you recognize an inevitable and impending collision feels like slow motion. You brace for impact. You hear the cringe-inducing sound of metal on metal. You’ve been in a car accident.

Here are the 5 things that you must do immediately after you have been in an auto accident:

1. Call 911 immediately! That is especially important if you or anyone is injured or appears to be injured or if you feel unsafe to exit your vehicle. The most important thing is your health and safety, and the health and safety of others at the accident scene.
2. Safely exit your vehicle, if you can and if you are okay, and survey the accident scene. Take pictures of where the cars came to rest, all around the cars, and all around the scene of the accident.
3. Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses with the drivers, passengers, and witnesses involved in the accident. Take photos of all the driver’s licenses, insurance cards, and license plates for each driver.
4. Survey the surrounding area for any cameras or recording devices that may have captured the accident (including cameras that may be inside vehicles at the scene). Obtain the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of anyone who may own or control the recording devices and ask them to keep and provide copies of the footage.
5. Once you are safe and medically stable, call your lawyer and provide detailed facts about the accident. It’s very important to communicate the information you collected while it is fresh in your memory.

Unfortunately, being in an auto accident is statistically inevitable during your lifetime. Following these steps will help protect yourself and allow you to effectively pursue any claims relating to the accident.

If you’ve been injured in an automobile accident, please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Bulman Dunie. Dan Shaivitz, lead personal injury attorney, can be reached at (301) 656-1177 or dshaivitz@bulmandunie.com.