What Can You Do to Lower the Risk of a Car Accident?
It is said that life is an unpredictable journey, and it doesn’t take much for it to turn upside down.
No one expects or prepares to be in a car accident, still millions of accidents are reported every year. In 2022, more than 42,500 deaths from motor vehicle accidents were reported in the US alone. (CDC: Transportation Services)
Getting into a car accident can be extremely scary and stressful, and can leave long-term consequences, including physical, mental, and legal damages. This is why it is important for us to learn to raise more awareness about it and learn to navigate through such challenging situations.
In this post, we will discuss exactly that and go through a step-by-step guide that will help you in case you ever get involved in a car accident.
First Steps After the Accident
Instantly after a car crash, regardless of who is to blame, the most important thing is to stay as calm as possible. Panic only makes things worse, leading to thoughtless and hasty decisions, which can result in negative legal situations and can even affect health. Here is what should be done:
If you are injured and feel intense pain, DO NOT MOVE! Wait patiently for an ambulance to arrive.
If you can, do a pullover. But first, check if it threatens the safety, and if you can leave it in that place for police investigation.
Stop the car, turn on the engine and all four hazard lights to warn the others driving on the road.
If possible, check up on the other people involved and provide first aid.
Gather information about the participants involved in the accident, such as name, contact number, and address.
Build a safety triangle.
INTERESTING TIDBIT The infographics below provide some important insights into the annual car crash fatalities from the year 2013-2022.
Contacting Emergency Services
In case of a serious crash, do not forget to call the police or the ambulance when checking up on other passengers involved and if someone is stuck in a vehicle or there is a fire, call the fire department.
Get the police involved in the following scenarios:
Someone is hurt, or there are chances of serious internal injuries.
There is a lot of damage to the vehicles involved.
If the person involved in the accident refuses to give their information or is running away from the accident site.
In case of a fight breaks out between participants about who is to blame.
If the crash is not so serious, no need to call the police. Participants only need to file a report on traffic accidents that will serve as evidence during registration.
Reporting the Accident to the Insurance Company
It is important to report an accident in the time span from 24 to 48 hours if you wish to claim the insurance. Otherwise, that payment may get withheld.
Here is a list of documents you might require for the claim:
Police report
Report on traffic accident,
Some photos from the scene of the accident
Information about the participants.
Whenever something like this happens, it is necessary to have someone to protect your legal rights and represent you in court. We recommend hiring car accident lawyers for maximum compensation as insurance companies often tend to lower the amount of payment and sometimes may even refuse it completely.
They can also help in cases of disagreements about the accident, someone who sued you, or you got serious injuries during the accident, and you need to pay costly medical expenses.
What to Do If You Hit an Animal?
Hitting an animal while driving can be a stressful situation. In such cases, the first thing that should be done is to notify the police. Not doing so is considered a criminal offense. If something like this happens, here is what should be done:
Pull-over, safely;
If the animal can be moved, move it to the side of the road.
In case the animal is alive but hurt, wrap it up in a blanket or cover it with a coat.
If it has a collar tag, call its owner, and if possible, take it to the nearest vet.
Some people believe that it is not necessary to report when they hit an animal, but it is common sense, and the legislation is currently under review to correct this regulation.
DO YOU KNOW? Around 1.19 million people die yearly due to car accidents worldwide.
What Can You Do to Lower the Risk of a Car Accident?
Even if it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of a car accident, there are some things you can do to lower the risk of it happening. Safe driving is not only an obligation to others, but to yourself as well.
Obey traffic regulations—they exist for a reason. Ignoring the signs, passing through the red light, or unnecessary speeding indicate irresponsibility, immaturity, and recklessness.
So, always drive within the speed limit, respect the traffic lights, and follow what the traffic signs say. Also, pay attention to the weather conditions in which you drive and adjust the vehicle accordingly.
Avoid distractions—do not use your phone while driving! A common cause of car accidents is drivers looking at their phones and texting while driving.
Additionally, do not, for example, look for anything in a bag or eat while driving, because one look away is enough to cause an accident. Driving requires full concentration, so be very careful with this one.
Keep a safe distance – Maintaining a safe distance between two vehicles is essential and gives us enough time to react in case we need to suddenly press the brake.
There is a so-called “two-second rule” that can be used here. Follow the vehicle in front and count to 2 seconds while passing the same roadside facility.
Maintaining the Vehicle – Brake failures, light malfunctions, or tire damage increases the risk of car accidents. That’s why it is really important to take good care of the vehicles and perform regular technical inspections.
Do not forget to frequently check on your brakes, tires, and lights as well as the overall security systems such as belts, airbags, and ABS. In addition to that, also make sure to change the filters and oil on time for adequate engine performance.
Being involved in a car accident can be extremely stressful, but when you know the steps to take, everything turns much easier. Don’t be afraid to take the right actions, as everything will be on your side if you are not the one at fault, and you will surely get all the necessary compensation to cover your losses.
