8 Smart Steps to Follow when an Auto Accident Happens to You

Nobody wakes up in the morning and expects to get into a car accident. When things take you by surprise, it can be hard to think clearly and make good decisions. Following these steps will help you avoid panic and successfully deal with an automobile accident.

1) Stay Calm and Get to a Safe Place

The most important thing to do is to make sure you and anyone else in your car is safe. Try to stay calm and take deep breaths. Look at the scene of the accident and assess the situation. Is there any broken glass or metal that could cause harm to you or others? Even if you feel fine, it's best to get to a hospital and get checked out. Sometimes when our bodies are in a state of shock, we actually don't realize how much harm has been done to us.

2) Don't Make Apologies

Your first instinct may be to say, "I'm sorry," even if the accident wasn't your fault. Don't assume the accident was your fault, and don't make apologies. This will only serve to implicate you as the guilty party. You wouldn't want your apologies to be used against you in the future.

3) Contact the Authorities

Use your cell phone, a public phone, or someone else's phone to contact the authorities. Call the emergency number and clearly explain your situation. Make sure to speak in short, concise sentences. Do not add extra details, as your goal is to get the authorities to the accident scene as soon as possible. Be sure to describe your exact location.

4) Get Witnesses

If there are any witnesses to the accident, don't let them just speed off and get on with their days. Their word will be important in determining fault in the accident.

5) Provide Your Contact Information

Give your contact information to the authorities and anyone else involved in the accident. If the other people involved in the accident seem particularly volatile, you may want to refrain from giving your home address and phone number. Give the contact information for your insurance company or business so that they can contact you through those channels instead of at home. Make sure you always have your insurance information handy in the car while you're driving.

6) Record the Facts

It's easy to forget exactly what happened, so it's best to take some time and record what happened. Make note of your surroundings and draw pictures to illustrate how the accident happened. Write down the time of the accident, the names of any witnesses, the make and model of any other cars involved, and the officers who reported to the scene.

7) Contact Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company and explain to them what happened. You may want to type up your notes, or get them copied, and pass them on to the company. Since they will be dealing with any claims, it's best to fill them in on the details right away.

8) Contact Your Attorney

Call your attorney's office and let them know about the situation. If you anticipate that the accident will result in legal proceedings, set up an appointment to discuss the case with your attorney. Hopefully, your case can be settled out of court, but there's no harm in putting your attorney in the know.

Keep a level head and keep these eight steps in mind so that you can deal with an auto accident both calmly and wisely.