What to do after you’ve been in a car accident | OK Carz

Two mangled vehicles in the middle of a street after a collision

Steps to follow after being involved in a collision 

No one wants to think about getting into an accident. Even with the variety of safety features that you can now find on vehicles, accidents still happen, and it is still a confusing and terrifying experience for any drivers. If you’ve gotten in an accident, it is likely that you’ll be a little shaken up, but it is important to you follow these steps to help make the aftermath of the collision less stressful.  

Move your vehicle (if possible) 

The first thing to do after an accident is to assess if you’re in a safe place. If you’re blocking a lane of traffic, try to move your vehicle to the shoulder or off of the road. Of course, this isn’t always possible, so if your vehicle isn’t able to move, put your hazard lights on.  

Check on others and yourself 

If you’re in an area where you can safely leave your vehicle, put your vehicle in park and get out after checking that you won’t be exiting into a dangerous situation. Check to make sure that you aren’t injured, and then go assist the other parties in the accident.  

[Related: What are the safest Used Vehicles?]

Insurance agent examining a vehicle with a messed up headlightCall the Police 

Even if you aren’t injured, you should notify the police, especially if you intend to submit a claim to your insurance company. Even if the accident seems minor, it can still be helpful to contact the police. While you wait, take a moment to exchange insurance with the other party involved, and to take pictures of any damage that may be visible on both vehicles for insurance purposes.  

How to prepare for a car accident 

While most drivers don’t go out of their way to get into an accident, you can still make sure that you’re prepared in case something should happen. Make sure you have insurance on your vehicle and check that you have all of the paperwork that you might need. After the accident, if your vehicle isn’t salvageable, visit OkCarz to view our inventory of used vehicles at reasonable prices.  

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