Key Points in This Article:

• After a car accident, take steps to protect your health, safety, and rights.
• Learn what to do when you have a car crash and avoid making common mistakes that could limit your options.
• A car accident lawyer can help you create a helpful car crash checklist.

Every minute, 5 people are injured in traffic crashes nationwide and the U.S. recently experienced a 9% increase in traffic crashes after a long period of decline. Would you know what to do if you were suddenly in a car crash?

Protect yourself by creating a car crash checklist with reminders about what to do after an accident. Consult a car accident lawyer to discuss the specific circumstances of your crash and learn more about your legal options.

What To Do When You Have a Car Crash: A Car Crash Checklist

After a car crash, remain calm and move to safety. Make sure your next steps are in line with Kentucky’s laws regarding auto accidents.

1. Stop and pull over to a safe spot.
2. Determine whether anyone has injuries from the crash.
3. Render emergency aid and call 911 to report injuries.
4. Remain at the scene of the accident.
5. Exchange contact information, insurance information, and vehicle information with the other drivers in the accident. Gather witness contact information.
6. Wait for the police to arrive at the scene or make a police report if there are injuries or if there is significant property damage.
7. Take photos and videos of the scene, crash debris, and other things that may be relevant to what happened; if you are able. 
8. Request a copy of the police report and look over it for errors.
9. Contact a Kentucky car accident lawyer to discuss your options.

Before leaving the scene of the accident, make sure you’ve taken note of all the information you might need to recall later. Even small details can become very important during a legal claim.

Take note of details like:

• The full names of everyone at the scene of the accident.
• How many passengers and witnesses were involved, not just drivers.
• Whether everyone remained at the scene of the accident or if someone fled.
• Vehicle plate numbers and driver’s license numbers.
• Makes, models, and colors of all involved vehicles.
• The location, cross-streets, and nearby businesses that may have video footage.

What Not to Do in a Car Accident

It’s normal to feel shaken up after a car accident but don’t let the stress of the situation cause you to make a mistake. Missteps now could create confusion or interfere with your ability to build a strong case for accident compensation if you were injured. 

Don’t Argue

Avoid arguments or long-winded debates with people at the scene of the accident, including the other driver or the police. Remain calm and answer questions briefly. 

Don’t Say Too Much

Avoid providing extensive details or speaking to anyone from the insurance company until you speak to a car accident lawyer. Don’t speculate, chat, admit fault, or share your opinions with an insurance representative. Even making small talk is risky because insurance adjusters are trained to pry for details they can use against you.

An insurance company representative’s overriding goal is to find a resolution that benefits the company, not you. By contrast, your lawyer is always looking out for your best interests.

Don’t Miss Evidence

This could be your only chance to get vital evidence from the scene of the accident like photos, videos, and witness information. Pay attention to the weather and road conditions, plus things that may have contributed to the accident, like construction signs or debris in the roadway.

Don’t Wait to See a Doctor

Seek a full medical evaluation as soon as possible after the accident. This step ensures you’re getting fast and appropriate medical treatment, plus it establishes a baseline for your injuries. Medical documentation usually forms the basis of a valuable personal injury claim.

What Do I Do in Case of a Car Accident?

You can’t always prevent a car accident, but you can take proactive steps to protect yourself. Here are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of being severely injured in a car accident.

• Never drink and drive, especially during the holidays when there are more drunk drivers on the roads.
• Wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts are proven to save lives, dramatically reducing the odds of severe injury and death.
• Avoid drowsy driving, which raises the risk of falling asleep or making poor decisions behind the wheel.
• Obey speed limits. Exceeding the speed limit increases your risk of being in a car accident.
• Beware of blind spots. Stay out of other drivers’ blind spots, particularly truckers with large blind spots along the bodies of their semi-trailers.
• Maintain your vehicle. Tire blowouts and transmission problems can lead to catastrophic accidents. Take your vehicle in for regular maintenance and pay attention to warning lights signaling an operational problem.

Maintaining proper car insurance is also a key aspect of driving safely. Insurance helps cover the costs of car crashes, easing your worries at a challenging point in your life. If an accident happens, the availability of insurance often makes the entire situation simpler and less costly.

Insurance isn’t just a good idea. It’s the law in Kentucky. You’re required to carry at least a minimum liability coverage and driving uninsured is illegal. It’s also a good idea to have uninsured/underinsured coverage in case you’re involved in an accident with someone who lacks proper insurance.

Rhoads & Rhoads – Kentucky Car Accident Attorneys

A car crash doesn’t have to ruin your life. With the right legal resources on board, and having the right car crash checklist, you can pursue valuable accident compensation to help you stay on the road to recovery.

An experienced Kentucky car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and your options, including potential paths to securing insurance coverage, a car accident settlement, and other arrangements to bring a positive resolution to your case.

Turn to Rhoads & Rhoads in Central Kentucky for our decades of experience with car accident cases. We provide free initial consultations for car crash cases and your case will be handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning no up-front payment is required. 

We take payment only if we win or settle your car accident case, so there is NO RISK to you. Connect with us at 888-709-9329 to schedule an appointment now.