The unfortunate has occurred, and you’ve just been involved in a car accident on the highway. While it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions in the aftermath, depending on your injuries, there are some key logistical, safety, and legal matters to take care of so you can effectively resolve the situation. Below, we’ll walk you through how to handle an accident on the highway.
Assess Potential Injuries
Before you or your passengers try to exit the vehicle, you should first check for injuries. This will determine if you’re able to safely leave the vehicle before help arrives and will allow you to inform first responders about the nature of your injuries.
Depending on the severity of the crash, possible injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises to more grave consequences like bone breaks, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or worse.
Move to Safety
If you’re able and your vehicle is still driveable, drive to the road’s shoulder to stay clear of additional collisions. Drivers on the highway are going faster than on a city street. So, be extra careful when getting to the side of the road while you call for help.
Call 911
The next thing you should do is call for emergency services to be dispatched. Even if your injuries do not appear severe, medical professionals can perform a more thorough assessment to determine if you have internal injuries that require further attention and treatment.
When police arrive, they can help secure the scene and file a police report. This will be a valuable piece of evidence if you end up filing a personal injury claim. If they ask you for a statement, stay calm and clearly lay out the details of the crash.
Capture Evidence
If your injuries allow, gather evidence of the accident scene to support your future insurance claim. This might include capturing photos of skid marks on the road, your injuries, vehicle damage, or anything else that you think might prove fault in the crash.
It’s highly important to not tamper with any evidence, which could compromise your claim. If you moved your vehicle to the side of the road before taking photos, make sure to document this clearly for investigators to consider.
If there were witnesses to the crash that are present at the scene, make sure to get their contact information so you can reach out to them in the future if needed.
Exchange Information
Before leaving the scene, you should exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. This includes key pieces of information, like their:
- Name
- Phone number
- Insurance carrier
- Policy number
- License plate number
Of course, share your information with them if requested as well. If you end up deciding to file a personal injury claim, you will need to know their insurance information to do so.
Contact Your Insurance Company
When you get a chance, contact your insurance carrier to start the insurance claims process. With some carriers and agencies, you are able to contact a claims rep on the phone. Or you may be able to submit your claim and photos through the carrier’s website or app.
Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one was injured in a car crash that was caused by the fault of another driver, you may consider filing a personal injury claim. If this is the case, speaking with a reputable personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal rights and provide you with expert representation during this trying time.
Do your research to find an experienced car accident attorney in your area. They can help you investigate the crash and determine fault so you can secure a fair settlement for your damages.
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Written by Bailey Schramm in partnership with Marv Golden Pilot Supplies.
