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What Do You Do if a Car Accident is Not Your Fault?

The roads can be dangerous, and though many of us travel them without issue, that isn’t a guarantee. Car accidents happen unexpectedly, and they can have devastating effects—even if the situation seems fairly mild at first. When someone hits you, there are some steps that you will always want to take.

What To Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents come as quite a surprise, but the steps that you take after a car accident are very important. When someone hits you, you will want to be able to consider your standard list of steps. Here are some steps that you should always take after a car accident.

Contact Police

Any time that you are involved in a car accident, no matter how mild, it is always a good idea to contact the local authorities. Police will document the encounter and make a record of it. This is very important if any disputes are made during the insurance process. Legally, you are required to notify the police within 60 days of an accident.

Get to Safety if Necessary

While car accidents can be dangerous by themselves, they can be even more dangerous after the accident if you stay in the middle of the road. Moving to safety is very important, especially while you wait for the police. Stay close to the area so you can still see your vehicle and any involved parties.

Take Pictures

Pictures are an important piece of evidence after a car accident. If you can do so safely, take pictures right after the accident of both your car and theirs. Your insurance will want to see these photos. Police will often take their own photos as well for their documents.

Exchange Information

Whenever there is an accident, it is important to exchange insurance information and to get key details, like the driver’s name and license plate number. This information will be important when you call your insurance company, so having it on hand will simplify the process.

Be Civil

Following an accident, tensions can run high. It is important to remember that you must remain calm after the accident. Avoid engaging with the driver, even if they are clearly at fault. Keep things calm and collected, and allow local law enforcement and your insurance company to sort things out.

Contact a Lawyer

If you are the victim of a dangerous accident where someone is at fault, it can be beneficial to get a lawyer. Drivers can find themselves facing serious expenses after an accident, especially if you or anyone in your vehicle ends up in the hospital. Having a lawyer can help you to protect yourself.

The Takeaway

Accidents happen, and that is just a risk that we all take. If you find yourself in need of a Denver car accident lawyer, we are here to work with you. We help drivers to protect themselves and receive appropriate compensation following an accident.