Every year, there are about six million car crashes, or one about every five seconds.
Accidents cost the average company $740 a year in all expenses related to employees, from absenteeism to health coverage. In 2022, accidents cost a total of $481.2 billion in medical treatment for injuries. Collisions remain the leading cause of death for Americans 35 and under.
In the aftermath of an accident, it is critical that you take immediate steps to protect yourself. What you do in the minutes following a road incident could be critical to securing your financial future and ensuring you receive the medical treatment you need if you are injured. It can be difficult to think proactively in the dizzying moments after an accident. Being aware of what to do beforehand can make all the difference.
These are the steps you need to take right after an accident.
1. Check for injuries. Before anything else, check for injuries. If you are seriously injured, call 911. If you don’t think you can move, don’t try it and risk further injury. Then do the same for any passengers in your car, especially children and seniors.
2. Pull off to the side of the road. Chances are, your car might still be in the roadway after impact. If the car is still drivable, pull over to the side of the road to avoid collision with other cars. If you are on the side of the road, you can safely perform the other steps in this guide.
3. Call the police. Even if there are no serious injuries, you should still call 911 to alert the police. In some states, calling the police is required by law. Having the police arrive and fill out a report is an essential first step to creating the paper trail of documents you will need to file insurance claims and take any future legal action against the other driver’s insurance company. If the police do not end up showing up, then be sure to go to the police station as soon as possible to file an accident report.
4. Secure children, pets, and seniors. As Forbes’ insurance advisor notes, in the aftermath of an accident, it’s easy to get distracted and forget about things you normally wouldn’t. Before you start assessing the damage and approach the other driver (see below), first make sure you do not leave any children, seniors, or pets locked in your car, especially if it’s a hot day. Exception: any children in car seats. Wait for a first responder to confirm they don’t have any hidden injuries.
5. Document the scene. Now it’s time to get to work documenting the scene and the damage to your car. This will be a big help down the road when you are filing medical and auto repair claims. Take out your phone and start taking pictures of your car and the scene. Don’t take just a few photos. In fact, taking pictures in the right way could make a difference. Follow these guidelines from Forbes’ insurance advisor:1
■ Take pictures from multiple angles. You want to ensure you capture all the damage, all the cars involved and all the effects of the accident, from dents to leaking fluids. Capture both exterior and interior damage. Take pictures from different distances.
■ Give the picture a sense of scale. For example, if it’s a dent, hold a coin in the image to show the scale.
■ Take pictures of the surrounding area. Any street signs or traffic signals that could be relevant to the accident are especially important to document. Include anything else that might have contributed to the accident or could indicate what caused it, such as potholes, road construction, or debris on the road.
■ Take pictures of your injuries. If you are not too seriously injured and are able to, documenting your injuries, such as a major cut or bruise could help with an injury claim.
6. Collect information. In addition to documenting the accident in photos, the Insurance Information Institute recommends collecting “as much information as possible,” including “names of and contact information for everyone involved in the crash, including witnesses.” If road rage was not a factor and it appears safe to approach the other driver, do so and get their license, car registration, and insurance information, along with information about their car. (Just be sure to avoid prematurely accepting any responsibility or making any accusations.) While some of this information will be contained in the police report, having your own record on hand will avoid any delays in the insurance process. (And it can be used to correct or challenge any errors in other reports on the incident.) Save yourself time by taking photos of as much of that as you can. While you’re at it, a record of the accident location, time, and weather might also be useful, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
7. If necessary, get your car towed and get a ride. Once you have collected all you need, it is time to get your car towed if it’s not drivable and get a ride. If possible, look into getting a rental car.
8. Start the claims process. The Insurance Information Institute suggests starting the claims process as soon as possible, noting that delays could impact your ability to remember key details. Call your insurance agent, or, if you carrier has an app, use it to start the claim process. Some insurance apps have features that allow you to upload photos that you took of the accident. You might also be able to make an appointment for an appraisal and get a rental car all through the app.
9. Seek financial help. One of the main implication about personal injury, even when you have insurance, is that having insurance coverage, such as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), does not necessarily cover all medical expenses and damages incurred from an accident. Insurance policies often have limitations on the amount they will pay, and these payments are typically directed to the insured or their medical providers, making it challenging for third-party financing companies to capture these payments. The process of obtaining full compensation can be complex and may require legal action against the at-fault party’s insurance company to cover the remaining expenses. This underscores the importance of understanding the limitations of your insurance policy and the potential need for additional financial and legal support to fully address the costs associated with personal injury.
When financial challenges arise after an accident, Gain offers critical support to both law firms and their clients. Contact Gain today to see how we can help your firm provide timely pre-settlement cash advances and medical funding, offering your clients the support they need on their journey to healing.
The Gain Attorney Portal also enables law firms to manage personal injury cases more efficiently, easing the burden on plaintiffs as they work toward recovery. Through our portal, firms can seamlessly access bills, notes, and records, while simplifying communication and coordination with healthcare providers. Learn more about how we can help your law firm gain.
