| No one wishes to be involved in a car accident, but if it | | | | you, it's better. If not, ask everybody present at the |
| happens, you have to know some basic road accident | | | | scene for one. Take pictures of every little detail you |
| advice. This is simply because of the fact that you will | | | | can think of. These pieces of evidence may prove to |
| probably be involved in at least one accident | | | | be very important later, in case you want to get road |
| throughout your lifetime. At least, that's what the | | | | accident compensation. |
| numbers say. The following is a set of | | | | You can also assist the police with all the data you |
| recommendations if you ever have to go through a | | | | managed to collect. Also, you can make yourself |
| car accident. | | | | useful by taking care of the possible injured persons or |
| Anyway, the first thing you need to do is to | | | | by calming other people down, making sure that they |
| immediately stop at the scene. Not doing this is called | | | | don't make the situation even worse. |
| "hit and run", and it's a criminal offense. After you stop | | | | If the accident wasn't your fault, you can request |
| your vehicle, check yourself and the other passengers | | | | compensation. There are basically two ways to do |
| in your car (if any) for injuries. If everything is OK, get | | | | this. Getting compensation solely from your insurance |
| out of your vehicle and do the same thing with the | | | | company or hiring a road accident specialist who will |
| other persons involved in the accident. If anyone has | | | | professionally handle the claim for you. The former is |
| visible health problems, make sure that you call an | | | | recommendable for minor losses, while the latter is for |
| ambulance, telling them the exact location of the | | | | more serious injuries and damage situations. |
| accident. | | | | If you consider that the losses you suffered are minor |
| Then, you must inform the police. If the accident is | | | | and there isn't any point in contacting a lawyer, then |
| serious, you must do it right away. If it's minor, you | | | | the first thing you need to do when you get home is to |
| must do it in a 24 hours interval. After doing this, you | | | | call your insurance company. If, however, your losses |
| must start collecting data about the accident. In the | | | | are more severe, then you should contact an attorney |
| heat of the moment, many drivers forget to do this | | | | who will guide you through the process of claiming |
| crucial step, and later find themselves regretting it. | | | | compensation. |
| Take a piece of paper and a pen and start writing | | | | The attorney is more advisable in serious cases. That's |
| everything down. Details are very important, and you | | | | because he will manage to get the biggest |
| must record them while they are still fresh in your mind. | | | | compensation possible in your case, while the |
| Start with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. | | | | insurance company will probably try to give you the |
| Take their details: name, address and phone number. If | | | | minimum amount. Being represented by a lawyer also |
| there are any witnesses present at the scene, do the | | | | saves you time for recovery, because he will attend to |
| same thing with them too. Also, don't forget to provide | | | | almost all matters regarding the case. You will only |
| everyone whose details you take with your own. | | | | have to go to periodical medical examinations, as an |
| Then, write down everything else about the accident. | | | | assessment of your injuries and their consequences in |
| Note the weather conditions at the time of the event. | | | | time is a must. That will help you get the compensation |
| Note the exact location of the event. Write down the | | | | you deserve. |
| time of the accident and the visibility (clear, foggy). | | | | However, my hope is that you will never have to go |
| Also, if the accident happened inside a town, take note | | | | through all these. But the big number of road accidents |
| of there is proper lighting (in the case that the accident | | | | is a reality, and when or if it happens, you must know |
| happened at night, of course). Write down the models | | | | what to do. You must stay calm and not panic. The |
| and the colors of the cars involved, as well as the | | | | more you manage to do that and follow the simple car |
| damage they sustained. | | | | accident advice I've given you, the better. |
| If you are lucky enough to have a photo camera at | | | | |