Going through an auto accident can be frightening. It can be hard to think of what you should do in certain situations. For instance, you may wonder if you should move your car from the accident scene or not. Just about anything you do in the crucial minutes after an accident can have an impact if you pursue compensation for damages.
If you do experience an auto collision, keep calm. There are actions you can take that may help yourself in the short term and if you seek coverage for your injuries and damage to your vehicle later on.
Know when to move your vehicle
According to U.S. News and World Report, in an accident when you or multiple people suffer severe injuries, it is best to leave your vehicle where it is for the authorities to investigate along with the other vehicles involved in the collision. However, you may only sustain a minor impact. You do not suffer injury and your vehicle can still move. If so, you should be fine to move your vehicle to a place away from traffic.
If you do move your automobile, be sure that it does not cause any more damage or result in further injury to anyone. If you cannot move your vehicle any further, put on the hazard lights and your parking brake and turn off the ignition.
Write down license plate numbers
If your accident involves multiple vehicles, look for their license plate numbers and write them down. Record them in your smartphone if you do not have a pen and paper. You want to get this information as early as you can in case one or more of the other vehicles drive away. With their license plate numbers in hand, you can provide them to law enforcement.
Stay at the scene if possible
Remaining at the accident scene is crucial. If you leave before the police arrive, it not only makes you look responsible for the accident, but you risk the police citing you or placing you under arrest for a hit and run.
However, the situation might not be safe for you. The other driver may threaten you with physical harm. Regardless of the danger, you should explain why you cannot stay at the scene to 911. You stand a better chance of avoiding arrest and harm to your case if you leave and then come back to the scene once the police and paramedics have arrived.
