If you are involved in a car accident in New Jersey, you are likely to be in a disoriented or emotionally fragile state, whether or not you are physically injured. There are some key steps to take in order to stay safe.
Self-protection after a car crash
In the immediate aftermath of a car crash, the first priority is to check yourself and any passengers to see if there are injuries that need immediate attention. Check for sites of pain, any open wounds, and for any head injuries, even those that are not bleeding, as they can still be serious. If the car can be driven, try to get it off the road to reduce the risk that it is struck by another vehicle. If there are no serious injuries, start documenting the damage to both cars, where they were hit, and how they looked after the hit, especially with pictures.
Official involvement
Next, start getting the authorities involved. Call the police to report the accident, and then obtain the other driver’s name, insurance information, and other details. You will report that information to the insurance company, and that will enter the claim that you file, along with other potential documentation such as the police report and evidence that you collected. Depending on the type of accident, this documentation can make the difference if there has to be a legal settlement between the insurance companies.
The reaction to a car accident starts in the seconds after the crash, but continues on for weeks or even months depending on the complexity of the claim and the amount of damage that the accident caused.