- April 25, 2022
A car accident will affect your ability to file an auto insurance claim against a missing driver, whether or not you caused the collision. Active vigilance will help protect your ability to preserve your rights in an auto insurance claim. Also, you will be protected if you are falsely accused of being responsible for the accident by another driver. A Greenville automobile accident attorney might be able to help you if you find yourself in such a situation.
Even though accidents, are an unfortunate reality of roadways, Zendrive, which develops smartphone driving analytics systems, says distracted driving will increase 16 times during the pandemic, even if fewer cars are on the road.
According to a May study by Zendrive, drivers were spending more time on their phones while driving after lockdowns began. Their data shows other riskier driving behaviors such as hard braking (+25%) and acceleration (+27%).
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data shows that South Carolina had the most deadly roads per 100 million vehicle miles driven in 2018. One out of every ten people killed on the state’s roads in 2018 were from South Carolina.
There are steps you should take in a stressful situation like a car accident, including how to deal with first responders, injured parties, and insurance companies.
Key Points to Remember:
Here are some crucial things to keep in mind.
- Knowing what steps you should take if you are involved in a car accident can relieve some of the anxiety.
- Having car insurance provides you with financial protection in the event of an accident.
- Experts recommend that you check for injuries immediately following an accident and then try to get the car off the road and away from traffic.
What to Do Immediately after a Collision?
Consider parking your car in a well-lit, safe area nearby; preferably a public place where other drivers can see you. Keeping calm and using the hazard warning lights to warn oncoming vehicles is important, whether you feel disoriented or not. If your car may pose a hazard on the road, we recommend moving it to a sidewalk.
You want to consider that you will lose your rights if you leave the scene of the accident. You must report the accident to the police.
The following tips should be considered:
-
Injuries Should Be Checked:
The first thing you should do after an accident is to determine whether there is an injury. Dial 911 for an ambulance and for the police to arrive at the scene. Even if the incident goes without issue and everyone is cooperative, call the police to have an official report, it can be useful for a Greenville automobile accident attorney. This will be necessary to submit to your insurance company.
Even if you don’t need an ambulance, you should still see a doctor after being in a car accident. Some injuries may not be apparent immediately.
-
Ensure Your Safety By Moving:
The affected vehicles should be taken off the main road if they are still operational. Make sure you pull completely off the road to avoid being hit by oncoming traffic. Place reflective flares or warning triangles as needed to warn approaching vehicles.
Move the car, if possible, so it will not get in the way of oncoming traffic.
After an accident at night, you should use your car’s hazard lights to make yourself visible to other cars. If the vehicle cannot be moved, you should take yourself and anyone else involved in the accident to a safe place away from the street.
-
Both Vehicles Should Be Inspected for Damage:
Take photos showing the location of the vehicles that have not been moved and how each vehicle is damaged if you are not injured and able to do so. If you do not feel injured, it is worth it to be able to assess the damage to the vehicles.
Keep any pictures and video to show your Greenville car accident attorney how the accident occurred. You should also keep copies of car repair bills.
-
Report the Accident to the Police:
Reporting the accident to the police is vital as it then follows a trail of adequate documentation, which significantly assists in fighting the case in a court of law.
Call a Greenville Car Accident Attorney:
In closing, do not forget to check your auto insurance rates after a claim is resolved. There is a possibility, but not a guarantee, that your rates will increase. Call our Greenville personal injury attorneys for a free consultation regarding your case.
