Most people never imagine they’ll get into a car accident, yet it’s one of the most common occurrences on roads nationwide, affecting millions of drivers every year. If and when you find yourself in this situation, it can be a challenge to know what comes next and how to react. From scheduling collision repairs to remaining safe in the immediate aftermath, here’s what you should do and avoid following an accident.

Do:

Check for injuries.

If it’s possible to do so safely, pull onto the shoulder of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Then, check your passengers and yourself for injuries before going to the other vehicle to check on the occupants. Regardless of the extent of any injuries, call 911 to get medical help as soon as possible.

Gather evidence.

While you wait for medical assistance and the police to arrive, take photos of the scene of the accident as well as any damage done to either vehicle. If you don’t have access to a camera, take detailed notes of the accident. This can be used as valuable evidence when filing an insurance claim to help you receive a payout for medical expenses, collision repairs, and other costs with minimal delay.

Don’t:

Admit guilt.

Try to limit your interaction with the other driver or passengers to just checking them for injuries and exchanging insurance information. While talking, avoid saying anything which could be interpreted as an admission of guilt for the accident. It’s possible that there are a number of circumstantial factors surrounding the accident of which you’re unaware and which can impact any legal decisions or insurance claims.

Leave the scene.

Perhaps most importantly, don’t leave the scene of the accident until after a police report has been filed and insurance information exchanged. Staying at the scene will ensure that you have time to present your side of the story and make sure the other driver or bystanders are safe. Fleeing, on the other hand, could be seen as an admission of guilt and even result in criminal charges.

Once the dust has settled after an accident, you can count on Precision Collision & Auto Glass in Frankfort, MI, for prompt collision repairs. Serving drivers throughout Benzie, Frankfort, Leelanau, and Grand Traverse counties since 1997, these auto repair experts can help you quickly restore your vehicle to working condition after an accident. Call (231) 352-7948 to schedule repair services, and visit them online for more information on their work.