After a car accident, you may panic in the moments following the crash.
While the other party is still at the scene, it is best to seek immediate medical alert and follow these steps.
Stay alert
Calling for medical help for any injured parties and alerting the police are some of the immediate actions you should take if you are in a wreck, according to FindLaw. Make sure to take note of everyone present, including any passengers in the cars or vehicles.
You should never stand in or block traffic while waiting for authorities. If your car is on fire or otherwise unstable, evacuate to the nearest safe area and stay there.
Document facts
Taking photographs of the scene before moving anything is imperative. These pictures should be comprehensive, so be sure to include any items that caused the wreck, both your car and the other driver’s vehicle, any property damage, and the area around the crash.
Keeping even minor items, such as a bloodied shirt or a piece of physical evidence from your vehicle that fell off during the wreck, can be important for future reference. Documenting all facts and the scene as it was at the time of the crash means leaving as much intact as possible.
Exchange information
Before anyone leaves, make sure to ask for phone numbers and additional ways to contact each person. Write down home addresses and names of insurance companies for your own future reference. You should always include witnesses in these questions, but take not to discuss who is possibly at fault in case you admit fault by accident.
