Being involved in a car accident can be dangerous and debilitating. If you are injured or your vehicle is damaged the situation can quickly become overwhelming and stressful. While every auto accident is different, there are a few simple things that can be done after a car accident to help the situation.

The first and most important priority should always be your health and safety. Perform a quick evaluation– do you have any injuries? Do you need immediate medical attention? Are you able to walk away from the accident or do you need to be taken to a doctor? If possible, you should move the car out of the flow of traffic and get to a safe location while you wait for assistance.

Once you have assessed any injuries, assess any damage to the vehicle. Call 911 if there are any injured people or significant damages to the vehicles involved. The police officers will be able to protect the scene and write a report to establish which party or parties are at fault.

Make sure to document the accident. Take pictures of the vehicles involved, the location of the accident, and the point of impact.

It’s important that you collect information. Get the contact information for all drivers involved in the accident. This includes their name, insurance company and contact information. If possible, a picture of their insurance card and license plate may also be helpful. You should also collect contact information for any witnesses. While in some instances the police may speak with them, don’t rely on them to gather that information.

Being involved in a car accident can be traumatizing and get your adrenaline pumping. Don’t make any statements about your injuries if you are unsure if you are injured. Wait until after you have calmed down and your body has had some time to recover.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, you should consider contacting an experienced personal injury attorney. They will be able to evaluate the situation and fight to get you any compensation you may deserve. Contact the Powers Taylor today for a free consultation.