Car accidents at night can happen to anyone. They’re usually stressful events, so it’s important that you’re familiar with what to do before an accident happens to you. Take a look at these five steps you should take immediately after the accident.
Remain Calm
Oftentimes people are in shock and filled with adrenaline after hitting another vehicle. That might lead them to get out of the car and give the other driver a piece of their mind. Refrain from doing this. Instead, remain in your car for a moment, take a deep breath, and turn on the hazard lights before getting out of the vehicle to talk to the other driver.
Get Off the Road
The next thing you’ll need to consider is moving off the road. If your car is operable and nobody involved in the crash needs emergency first aid, then have everyone move their vehicles to the side of the road. This will help everyone stay safe and prevent another accident.
Stay in Your Car
Even if you can’t pull your vehicle off the road, the next thing you should do is remain in the car. Do not walk around to inspect damages, and do not walk around to “blow off steam”. This is especially important if your accident occurred on the highway or a busy street. Stay in your car until help arrives.
Stay Visible
It’s always a good idea to carry warning triangles in your vehicle for instances like this. However, if you do not have warning triangles to set up, you can tie a bright piece of cloth on your antenna or door handle as well as turn your hazard lights on. It’s hard to see at night, so you must make it easy for other drivers to see your vehicle.
Gather Details and Report the Accident
After help has arrived, then you can get out of the vehicle to inspect damages and collect the other driver’s information. Jot down notes on what happened and take pictures. You’ll need all of that information when you file a claim with your auto insurance company when you get home.
Have Your Auto Insurance Handle the Rest
Before you get into an accident, make sure you have a great auto insurance policy from Freedom Insurance Agency. We’ll work hard to find you the best policy, so you have one less thing to worry about should you get into an auto accident. Contact us today to receive your FREE Maryland auto insurance quote.
