The First Steps to Take After a Motor Vehicle Collision

In an effort to reduce roadway fatalities in Kentucky, the state has implemented a new government program to inform drivers of the risks of driving without wearing a seat belt. Buckle Up seeks to increase awareness of all the good seat belts provide so that in the event someone ends up in a car accident, it will hopefully not be as bad as it could have been.

Most traffic collisions are not overly serious, but you still want to take any pain or discomfort you are in seriously. You should absolutely see a doctor, but there is plenty you need to do at the scene to improve the likelihood of having a successful claims process.

Pull Over

If both cars are still in operable condition, then both drivers need to pull off to the side of the road. At this point, you should check in on everyone in your vehicle. You can step out and see if the people in the other car are all right, too.

Contact the Police

To help with the claims process, it is beneficial to have a police report on file. Call the police, and someone should come out to the scene shortly. Ask for an ambulance as well if anyone sustained any injuries. As you wait for the police, you can continue with the following steps.

Acquire Information

Talk with the other driver and obtain his or her insurance information. You should also get the driver’s license number and license plate number. You can also ask for contact information, such as phone numbers and email addresses, in case you need to speak directly to the driver later.

Find Evidence

Using your smartphone, take photographs of both vehicles. You should also take pictures depicting the weather and any other conditions that could have contributed to the crash. You should also talk to witnesses at the scene to get their view of the event.