A sudden incident on the road that leads to a crash can leave you feeling scatterbrained and scared. No matter what kind of injury you are struggling with, taking note of the scene will help you in the future.
If you fear not reacting correctly or forgetting crucial information, taking the time to go through several key steps is important.
Search around for anyone involved
According to the AARP, checking as soon as possible for anyone who needs medical attention can help prevent further injuries. Moving your vehicle out of the way of oncoming cars will allow other people to get through without backing up traffic.
Make sure to not step out of your car into a busy part of the road and do not leave the place where the accident occurred.
Keep quiet about almost everything
While your first instinct may be to apologize or take the blame for what happened, your best bet is to keep silent. Trying to talk about who is at fault can not only lead to hurt feelings and high tension but more legal issues later on.
Ask for facts
Once everyone is out of immediate danger, take the time to exchange names, license plates and other important details. This information is key for contacting insurance companies and other people involved in the crash at a later time. You may find it easy to take photos with your phone of the damage surrounding your car.
No matter when or how you get involved in a car crash, being smart about what moves you make can help you.