The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports that a minimum of 7.5% of auto crashes reported in the state happened in Philadelphia. One would wonder why? We could posit that this is because Philly as it is fondly referred to by residents is the 6th densely populated city in America and is always bustling with activities.
You can visit this site: https://whyy.org/ for more info about Philadelphia.
Due to the hustle and bustle in the city, even careful drivers get into accidents, whether mild or serious. If you get into an accident, it is important what you do in the first moments or hour after the accident. Some people have suffered life-altering injuries without getting their due compensation because they didn’t know what to do at that point.
Therefore, in order to ensure that you do not suffer needlessly, this article will share expert tips on what to do in the aftermath of a car accident.
Expert Tips for Car Accident Victims
We know that when one has been in an accident, the possibility of being disoriented is high. It is even higher if the occupants of the vehicles are injured. In the event that the injury is not severe or fatal, the following list will help you when you need to file a claim.
Even in a situation where the accident is fatal, or the victims are severely wounded, if you are a bystander, you will be doing the victims a great favor if you follow these tips:-
Stay Calm
Although this looks like a no-brainer, however it is worth mentioning because shock can sent one into a spin or destabilize you. Some people do not even know that they are injured at that moment and this has caused a lot of damage at a later date.
Therefore in the aftermath of an auto crash, you may need to find a place to sit down and take deep breaths. Then you assess everything that has happened; find out who was injured and how severe so that you will know the next steps to take.
Read this article so that you can know how to assist accident victims.
Step Away From the Scene
Once you have gathered your wits, move away from the scene to a safer spot. If the car is still functional after the crash, move it out of the road (if it is still on the road) to the kerb and wait for emergency personnel. If the car was rendered immobile, find a way to get out of the car to safety and help others who were worse hit (if there are others involved in the crash).
Ensure you stay away from car(s) or roadside to avoid further crashes or explosion due to gas spillage. Endeavour to set up warning signals for other road users. In the event that someone is trying to run away from the scene of the accident, do not struggle with them; stay away from them. However, take note of vital information that can help law enforcement identify them. Information to look out for includes the type of vehicle and license plate number.
Call the Emergency No
Once you have ascertained the safety of everyone, you need to call emergency services and report the crash. The law of Pennsylvania requires that anyone involved in an accident call the police. Even if you think no one was injured, it is recommended that you call emergency services.
Additionally, it is a good idea to contact your lawyer straightaway. That is why it is recommended that you have the contact of car crash attorneys in Philadelphia for emergencies such as this. However if you do not, then you move to the next course of action so that you can have the right information to give your lawyers and law enforcement.
Get Necessary Information on Site
The important information to get includes the following:-
- contact of witnesses, passengers and also the other driver
- Pictorial and video evidence of the scene and damages to vehicles involved and injuries to individuals if applicable.
- Find out if there were any CCTV cameras at the scene.
Remember to get consent before taking pictures or recording individuals other than you. Do not alter the scene of the accident in any way before taking pictures and videos.
Conclusion
In addition to all the above, ensure that you give the police accurate information about what happened. Leave the decision of who is to blame to the police; just speak to what happened and how it happened. Bear in mind that the most important factor in the event of an accident is that you remain calm as this will save you a lot of trouble.
Do not forget to get medical attention even if you do not feel any pain. This is to ensure that all is well with you both externally and internally.
Finally, remember that working with a car accident attorney will ensure that you get the appropriate compensation that you deserve. So do not hesitate to contact and work with the best in your area.
