Actions to Take Immediately After an Accident
Knowing the immediate actions to take after an accident can help you or someone else in an unfortunate circumstance. You can follow this process after an accident, whether you’re the driver or the passenger.
Check for Injuries
Your well-being should be your priority after an accident. By taking proper precautions, you can ensure your safety. Assess yourself and others for injuries. If anyone, including yourself, requires medical attention, call 911 immediately and request medical services.
This step is crucial, even if injuries seem minor. Some injuries, like whiplash, can manifest later and leave lingering effects when not treated.
Proceed With Caution
Regardless of how you believe the accident occurred, proceed cautiously when explaining the events to other parties, including authority figures. If you believe you caused the accident, facts may later show you were incorrect. Admitting liability at the scene can be detrimental later, despite the evidence.
Additionally, make no promises to other drivers about police or insurance involvement.
Call the Police
Even if no one seems injured, someone must contact the authorities to come to the scene. Officers can ensure proper documentation of the situation, which can be necessary later. The officer will speak to everyone involved, including witnesses, to prepare their police report.
When a driver is under the influence or driving without insurance, a police officer can be vital. In addition to documenting your interaction with the officer, get their name, badge number, and police report number when possible.
Secure the Scene
Turn on the hazard lights if you are still inside the vehicle. If possible and safe, move yourself and your cars to a secure location away from oncoming traffic. Safe locations can be a sidewalk or a nearby grassy area. This step can prevent a traffic jam while ensuring first responders can arrive safely at the scene.
Report the Accident
If you are a rideshare driver in an accident, report it to your company through their app. If you are a passenger, instruct the driver to report the accident if they have yet to do so. Rideshare companies tend to have specific protocols for reporting accidents, which can ensure a smoother claim process for anyone involved.
Gather Information
While waiting for help to arrive, exchange contact and insurance information with each person involved in the accident. If there are witnesses, getting their contact information can also be beneficial. Note the makes, models, colors, bumper stickers, possible dents, and license plates of every vehicle in the accident. This information can be vital evidence later on.
Taking photos of all relevant documentation can be better than writing to prevent transcription errors. Emailing and texting the information to yourself can ensure nothing gets lost.
Documenting the Accident
Evidence is critical in legal claims. After an accident, memories can be fuzzy, so counting on your brain to remember important details can be a faulty decision. To properly document an accident, be sure to:
- Take Photos: When safe, take pictures of any vehicle damage from the accident and elements of the surrounding area, including traffic signals and weather conditions. These photos can also be substantial evidence if you or someone else sustained injuries.
- Note Important Details: Write down everything you can remember from before, during, and after the accident while the details are fresh in your mind. Include the date, time, location, weather conditions, visible hazards, nearby traffic signs, and other information about the accident, such as sudden stops, speeding, or distracted driver information.
FAQs
Q: How Long Do You Have to Report a Rideshare Accident in California?
A: You must file your accident with the highway patrol or the local police department within a day of the accident when the collision resulted in injuries or death. For specific details about filing a claim after an accident, it can help to consult a skilled attorney. Many professionals may advise you to seek medical attention, and once you are safe, you can seek legal representation.Q: How Much Should I Expect From a Rideshare Accident Settlement in California?
A: The amount to expect from a car accident settlement in California depends on the factors of your case. Every rideshare accident is different, and many require a different legal approach. Your compensation amount may rest on the determined fault in the case and the insurance policies involved. While you can estimate your compensation amount, contacting a personal injury attorney can make sense when you need an accurate number.Q: When Will the Insurance Company Settle My Rideshare Accident Claim in California?
A: While you can attempt to speed up a car accident claim, an insurance company may not settle your claim promptly. Submitting a demand letter detailing why the other party is at fault, the nature and extent of your injuries, the value of your damages, and the settlement you demand can help a process move smoothly.Q: How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Investigate a Rideshare Accident Claim in California?
A: Depending on the type of claim filed, the amount of time an insurance company has to investigate could be longer than you expect. These investigations can take a significant amount of time, and they may lead to an unsatisfactory outcome. While proper claim assessment is essential, insurance companies may take longer than you think because they are attempting to prevent fraudulent activity.Understanding What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
While the steps to take after a rideshare accident may seem doable, they may be hard to remember in the aftermath of an accident. At Kreeger Law Firm, the safety of California residents is our priority. Contact us today if you have been involved in an accident.
