When you experience a traffic accident, you can feel a combination of adrenaline, panic, and stress. In the chaos of the incident, you may not be sure what course of action to take in the aftermath.
You might wonder if moving your car will affect others’ safety or your potential insurance claim. Attorney Big Al and the Law Office of Richard Klein, a personal injury law firm in Baltimore, MD, describes what you should do with your vehicle in the event of an accident.
Evaluate Safety at the Scene
After a car accident, your primary concern should be the safety of yourself and others. Even if the crash seems minor and you are not injured, you must stop your car and see if anyone else is hurt.
Call 911 if you or anyone at the scene has sustained an injury. You should also check the area for major safety hazards that could cause further harm and ensure you and others steer clear of them. Learn more about our personal injury services here: Personal Injury.
Move Your Vehicle Out of Traffic
If you are uninjured and others in the area are safe, you should move your vehicle out of the roadway. This is especially important if your car could potentially pose a safety risk to passing traffic.
In some instances, it may not be possible to relocate your car. For instance, the vehicle may not be drivable, or there might be no room for the vehicle to move out of the way safely and quickly. If this is the case, you should get yourself to the side of the road and away from moving traffic.
Communicate with Personnel
Communication is crucial in the wake of a car accident. You should speak to witnesses of the incident and get their contact information. When a police officer arrives on the scene, which will likely occur after you move your car off the road, you will also need to talk to them and obtain their report. If it is safe to do so, you should also take photographs of the scene, including different angles of potential vehicular damage. If you have been in a car accident at an intersection, see Intersection Car Accidents.
Speak to Personal Injury Lawyer Attorney Big Al in Baltimore, MD
The Law Office of Richard Klein is a personal injury law firm in Baltimore, MD. You can consult with our legal team if you have been in a car accident and intend to file an insurance claim. Schedule an appointment with our experts at no cost to you by contacting us online or reaching our office by phone at 410.291.8012. We also provide services in Prince George’s County!