When you're in a car accident, take it one step at a time

 Posted on April 29, 2016 in Car Accidents

In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, any central Illinois resident would be rattled. Even if the wreck is minor in nature, the very fact that you were involved in a crash can be a scary and traumatizing moment. As a result, it is understandable for people to not know what to do in the moments that immediately follow a collision between two vehicles.

When you are involved in a crash, the two most important things you can do are stay at the scene of the crash and remain calm. Many people are upset and emotionally distraught after a crash, leading them to angrily lash out against other people who were involved in the accident. Others still try to flee the scene of an accident, which is a criminal offense. Don't do either of these things. Stay calm and stay at the scene.

Once you have remained at the scene, be the Good Samaritan that you are. Check on the other people in the car and make sure they are okay, and if they're not, call 911 as soon as possible. If they aren't experiencing a medical emergency, then you can exchange information with them.

Then you can go into "investigator" mode and start taking photos of the scene. You can also talk with witnesses of the crash, and ask them if they are comfortable making a statement about the crash. You should also ask them if they are comfortable giving you their contact information.

Source: FindLaw, "After a Car Accident: First Steps," Accessed April 28, 2016