According to experts in the auto insurance industry, the average driver experiences an accident about once every 18 years. This means that the average person could experience four accidents during their expected lifespan. Unfortunately, auto accidents are common but still unsettling. If you find yourself victim to a car accident, first and foremost you should remain calm. Take a deep breath and try not to lose your cool. Once you have collected yourself, take these additional steps following an accident.
Injuries
After making sure you are okay, check your passengers to see if anyone needs immediate attention for a serious injury. Once everyone in your car has been accounted for, check on the passengers in the other cars that were involved. If anyone has any life-threatening injuries, call 911 immediately.
Move Your Car
Traffic surrounding the scene of an accident can often lead to further accidents or be hazardous. So, if you are able to move your car to a safer area, do so.
Call 911
Even if your car accident was minor, you should call the police to get an accident report. An accident report is helpful when establishing liability. An office will arrive at the scene of the accident and each party involved will fit out a report.
Exchange Information
Be sure to exchange information with the other driver/drivers that were involved in the accident. You should get their name, phone number, address and if available, insurance information (company name and policy number). If there were other passengers involved or witnesses to the crash, get their information as well.
Take Pictures
Take as many pictures as you can of the accident. Be sure to take pictures of all the cars that were involved and any damage done to your vehicle. Also be sure to take pictures of where the accident occurred and any evidence at the scene of the crash.
Contact Insurance
Even if you were not at fault, you should contact your insurance provider and report your accident. Be sure to give them the information of the other driver involved, as well.
If you are injured as the result of the accident, contact the experienced team at Mestayer Law Firm. Mestayer Law Firm provides civil litigation for clients throughout the Gulf Coast area including Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Gulfport. Call us today at 228-762-1193 or visit www.pascagoulalaw.com. We are your legal experts! You can also visit our office located at 2128 Ingalls Ave. in Pascagoula, Mississippi. We look forward to talking with you!
No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
This article does not create an attorney-client relationship. I am licensed to practice law in Mississippi and have based the information presented on US laws. This article is legal information and is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be seen as legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before you rely on this information. Any information provided in this blog is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge, but that there may be omissions, errors, or mistakes.
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