Millions of cars line the roads of American streets daily. These cars make it easier and quicker for people to get to work, get to the gym, and go whenever they need to go. While it would be lovely if everyone drove perfectly and there were never any accidents, that’s not the case. Every year in the USA, there are around 6 million accidents, many of which will result in injuries.

If you find yourself in a car accident, what should you do? Of course, your health always comes first. You need to make sure to get the proper medical attention and assess your body after an accident.

But once you’ve got your bearings straight, or if you only suffered minor injuries, what should you do? Let’s look at some things you should be sure to do after you’ve been in a car accident.

Exchange Information and Alert Authorities

If the accident is serious, you should either alert the authorities yourself or have someone else do it. This will ensure that the area is secured properly, and a police report might need to be filled out for insurance purposes. While you might not think about calling the police unless someone is seriously injured, it is a good precaution to call them for anything more than a small fender-bender.

Once everyone is okay, it is important to exchange information with the other driver or drivers. While the police might help facilitate this, it is always a good idea to get the name, license plate, address, and phone number of the other driver. This will ensure you can work out a solution and that no one escapes their responsibility.

Using this information, notify the insurance companies as soon as possible. The quicker the accident is reported, the quicker it can be dealt with acceptably and everyone can move on.

Make an Accurate Record of the Events

Whether you are telling the police, or simply doing it to protect yourself, you need to make an accurate record of the events that took place before, during, and after the accident. This should cover how the crash occurred, why it happened, the injuries sustained and anything else you think would warrant being mentioned. Be as honest as possible and only speak in facts, not speculation.

This could include writing statements, taking photos, or even shooting some video. Having photo evidence of the damage to the vehicles, and any sustained injuries could help prove what occurred if there is a dispute in the future. Try to be as thorough and exhaustive as possible when creating this record.

Think About Speaking With a Lawyer

While some car accidents will be handled by the insurance companies, this isn’t always the case with serious accidents. If you have been seriously injured or disfigured as a result of the negligence of another driver, it is a good idea to speak with a lawyer. They can help you file a personal injury lawsuit in order to get you justice. However, be sure to choose a lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases.

Going with a lawyer who has experience in personal injury suits, such as Georgia’s Stephen Hasner, as opposed to someone who specializes elsewhere. Your lawyer should also have a good track record and be someone that you can trust. Of course, be sure that you have evidence to back up your claims. If you win the suit, you could receive damages to help cover medical costs and compensate for the physical and/or mental anguish.

In conclusion, car accidents are horrifying but doing the right things after one can protect you and ensure everything is represented correctly.