You took your eyes off the road for one second and it happened. The car in front of you slammed on its brakes. You looked up, tried swerve out of the way, but you didn’t make it. Your car clipped the other car’s bumper. You spun 180 degrees, narrowly avoided a second collision with a passing truck, and then came to an abrupt stop.
Despite significant damage to both vehicles, you and the other driver appear to be fine. You feel fortunate, all things considered. Then, your adrenaline starts to wear off, you feel the sweat drip down the back of your neck, and you start to panic. What do you do now?
Accidents happen, and when they do, you need to be prepared. When you’re involved in a car crash, there are certain things you must do. First, determine the extent of all of the injuries. Talk to everyone in all of the vehicles involved. Next, contact the police and report the accident. In Pennsylvania, drivers are required by law to notify the authorities if a crash causes significant injuries, deaths, and/or if either vehicle is too damaged to safely drive away from the incident.
Drivers of all vehicles must submit a form AA-600 to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation within 5 days of the incident. You should write down the drivers’ license numbers, tag numbers, and insurance information for all of drivers involved in the incident. You need to talk to all witnesses, as well as the officers present, and you must make sure you have all of the drivers’ and witnesses’ names, phone numbers, and addresses.
Take plenty of pictures with the camera on your phone, and seek medical treatment immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor. Lastly, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Attorneys will inform you of your rights and will help you recover physically and financially. Don’t go it alone, call an attorney if you’re involved in a car accident.
