Stay Calm And Follow These Steps After A Crash

February 10, 2020

You were just rear-ended by a distracted driver. Or you were T-boned by a driver who ran a red light. Perhaps you were run off the road by a driver who was aggressively weaving through traffic. You are well aware that someone else’s reckless behavior endangered you and your passengers. You may have even witnessed the person behaving erratically before the crash occurred.

Why is staying calm critical after a crash?

Getting angry may seem like the easiest thing to do at the moment. Adrenaline often clouds logical thinking. Staying calm after a crash, however, is the best course of action. By doing so, you may better assess the crash scene and clearly recall what happened. Here are some tips for staying calm after a crash:

• Stay in your car for a moment: Take a moment to assess how your body is reacting to the crash and how you are thinking. Observe what is happening around you and inside of your car. Do you feel any physical pain? Is your heart rate high? If you’re in a location where you can get struck again, it’s best to first get out of the line of traffic.
• Take deep breaths: Your mind will likely be racing after a crash. Simply take a few deep breaths and try to regain your composure.
• Focus on the issue at hand: Don’t worry about how your car will be repaired, how long you’ll be injured, or how you’ll get to work. Focus on what needs to be done in the moments following the crash.

What should I do next after my car accident?

First, always check on all parties involved and make sure everyone is OK. Call 911 to report any serious injuries. If there are no medical emergencies, you can simply report the crash to the local or state police. Also, be sure to swap insurance information with the other parties involved.

You may then begin taking pictures of the crash scene while waiting for the police to arrive. Capture as many angles as you can and be sure to include damage to both cars, tire skid marks in the road, as well as damage to roadside structures (signs, guardrails, and poles). If witnesses are available, get their names and contact information and ask them what they saw.

It also helps to document everything in writing. This should include:

• Physical details from the crash scene
• Witness statements
• The at-fault driver’s behavior before and after the crash
• How you feel after the crash

Always seek medical attention after a crash, even if your injuries seem minor or you feel no pain at all. Injury symptoms often take days to set in. Your physician can offer a medical evaluation and identify any underlying injuries you may not be aware of.

The police will piece together an unbiased report, which can be obtained 15 days after the date of the crash in Pennsylvania. If your crash happened in New Jersey, you may obtain the report from the New Jersey State Police.

Your attorney will take care of the rest

Never trust the at-fault driver’s insurance company, no matter how friendly they seem. They can use your words to downplay or deny your claim. Let the attorneys at Villari, Giannone and Matteo do the talking. Our legal team knows how the insurance companies work. We know how to negotiate with them for a fair settlement and we’ll gladly take them to trial if they don’t budge.

We have law offices in Conshohocken and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as Marlton, New Jersey. Contact us online today to find out how we can help maximize your compensation.