AutoTech India: Things to do after getting involved in a car accident
When you are on the road, your safety is not always guaranteed. You may encounter irresponsible drivers, come across careless pedestrians, and your car malfunctioning in the middle of your travel. These inconveniences, no matter how small, can get you involved and your fellow drivers in an accident which can lead to injuries, and worse, death.
In AutoTech India, we make sure to remind our customers to always be safe when driving. If you ever get involved in a car accident, remain calm and protect yourself. Car accidents are often traumatic and the aftermath of the incident can get too stressful if you don’t know which precautions to take. When you find yourself in a car collision and other accidents, always bear these things in mind:
Stop the car
Do not ever run away from a car accident, no matter how minor it is. It is your legal obligation to ensure that no one is hurt and there is no property damage. When you are behind the wheel, it is easy to press the gas pedal and make a run for it. But it is your duty as a responsible driver to be concerned with the well-being of other people.
In the event you accidentally hit a pedestrian or made a collision with someone’s property, get out of the car and stay calm. Call an ambulance or bring the injured civilian to the nearest hospital. If you scratched someone’s car or private property, contact them and pay for the necessary compensation.
Take pictures
When dealing with a car crash, it is important to have a camera with you. If the crash is caused by another driver’s recklessness or inattention, these photos will serve as evidence when filing a personal injury claim. You will be able to acquire compensation for the damage that the accident incurred.
Take pictures of the whole road including road signage, intersections, traffic signals, and other vehicles involved in the crash, if there are any. Comprehensively documenting the accident scene will help your case with the jury, should it reach the court of law.
Call the police
During car accidents, calling the police can be extremely helpful especially when someone gets badly injured. They will provide basic medical care to prevent things from getting any worse and save lives in a time-restricted situation. The police can also help EMTs move injured civilians to the ambulance and look after them.
In protecting the scene of the accident, the police can block off the road where the car crash happened to prevent further intruders that may breach the scene. This way, you can communicate with the police, other drivers involved, and the witnesses in a safe environment. The police can carefully gather all the crucial details about the car crash without any disturbances.
The police can also help you determine if the other party involved is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They can conduct verification tests. If this is the case, the law is on your side and this will help you get some compensation for the damage.
Secure your passengers
Getting in a car accident can get ugly if you have passengers with you. Your loved ones may be injured and badly hurt if you are not focused on driving or if you encounter a drunk driver on the road. It’s also easier to let your emotions get the best of you and panic, making the situation so much worse.
If you get involved in a car collision and your children are in the backseat, let them stay where they are after the incident. Wait for an ambulance and let an emergency medical responder check them for injuries you might not see. In this way, they will receive proper medical attention which can prevent further grievances.
Calmly talk to other drivers involved
Sometimes, when it’s just a minor collision, things can be resolved without police help. But it will all depend on the behaviour and reaction of all the parties involved. Do not let your anger command your language, which can do more harm than good. If the other party displays rude behaviour and refuses to acknowledge your side, maintain your composure and still talk to them with respect. The last thing you want after a car collision is a fistfight.
Controlling your temper may be hard in this kind of situation, but it is important in maintaining an amicable discussion with the other driver. If both of you are composed and the conversation goes well, you may come to an agreement where both parties can benefit. But if the discussion ends in a heated argument, it may be time to seek the help of the police for further investigation.
Inform your insurance company regarding the accident
While you’re at the scene of the accident, do not forget to contact your insurance agent and inform them about the details of the car incident. A police officer can give detailed and accurate information to your agent which can help verify your statements. Make sure to have evidence such as pictures and videos at hand! Most insurance companies require their clients to provide documentation and their full cooperation.
Next, make sure to file an accident report at the nearest local police station. When you have a police report with you, this can speed up the process of your insurance claims.
How do you avoid car accidents?
As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure. Avoiding car accidents is better than getting involved in one. This way, you won’t have to spend a huge amount of money getting your car fixed or paying for compensation. Most importantly, you will assure the safety of everyone on the road and the well-being of pedestrians.
Car accidents are simple to avoid, given that you know what to do when you are driving. Always remember that when you are behind the wheel, there is a chance that you might get hurt and harm other people. Follow these instructions and be safe:
Don’t drive too fast
Most accidents happen when a driver exceeds the speed limit. Driving on the road is not a race and you are in no way competing with other drivers. You should be mindful of your speed and as much as possible, drive slower and more carefully even when you are in a hurry. Driving fast can cause you to hit someone and badly injure them. You don’t want this incident interrupting your day and paying someone’s medical bills because you got too reckless.
Use both hands when driving
When holding the steering wheel, you have complete control over your vehicle. In cases of emergency and possible collisions, you will be able to manoeuvre the car and move it to safety. You can also prevent yourself from hitting crossing animals that appear out of nowhere and killing them in the process. There are a lot of unexpected incidents when you are on the road, and having both of your hands on the steering wheel keeps you safe.
Driving with both hands will also keep you from getting distracted. Car accidents can happen if you are preoccupied with your phone and other devices. The road will require you to concentrate on it at all times.
Keep away from road rage
Sometimes, it is easy to lose your temper, insult drivers and pedestrians, and disrespect police officers. Car accidents can happen when you let your emotions control you when you are driving. You might accidentally hit someone’s car because you got angry after being cut off in traffic.
Aggressive driving can lead to terrible accidents that may cost someone’s life. So before driving, make sure you are in a calm state to ensure everyone’s safety. Treating everyone with respect, no matter what the situation is, can keep you away from accidents. It’s better safe than sorry.
Be mindful of the traffic lights and road signage
The traffic lights and signs are there for a reason, and it is to avoid everyone on the road from colliding with one another. They also protect pedestrians from accidentally getting hit when crossing the street or when walking on the sidewalk.
To avoid getting in car accidents, be sure to look out for traffic rules and follow them at all times. Without traffic lights, there will be pure chaos and disorder on the road.
Avoid car accidents with AutoTech India
Although driving a car is a responsibility, it can also be a fun activity when you do it right! AutoTech India encourages you to always be safe on the road and take precautionary measures. Your safety and well-being should always come first.