What Happens After You’ve Caused a Car Crash

Being in a car crash can be extremely traumatic, especially if you are the one who has caused it. It can be overwhelming to know what to do next after causing a crash, but the key is to stay calm and collected so that you can approach the matter with a clear head. This article will help you understand the next steps for you to follow after causing a car crash.

Don’t Admit Guilt 

While it may seem like the proper thing to do by saying ‘sorry’, this can be detrimental to your case. You do not want to say anything that can incriminate you, and saying ‘sorry’ is exactly that. There are a number of phrases that can make you look guilty, for example, continuously asking if the other person is okay, or if there is anything you can do to fix it. Offering money on the scene will instantly make you look guilty. So,  if you are the kind of person who is likely to say sorry, then you are better off having as little interaction with the other driver as possible. Do not ignore them, but keep it to the bare minimum.

Pay attention to your body language, too, as even this can implicate guilt. For instance, holding your hands in your head or covering your mouth. This may seem pedantic, but every action will either serve to benefit you or hinder following a car crash.  Finally, do not try and pass off blame to other parties involved in the crash. Your behaviour can implicate guilt, so stay calm, neutral and remain pragmatic. 

Write Down The Details Of What Happened

Try to record the details of what happened to the best of your knowledge. Key things to include are timings, date, place, damages and any notable exchanges of words. This will help you later on when it comes to informing your insurance or settling damages with the other party involved. Also, recording the details is beneficial to you as it will help you have a more reliable recount of what happened. 

Otherwise, your memory can be affected by a number of things, making you unreliable. On this trail of thought, documenting the scene with photos is also strongly advisable. If you are unsure of what details to record, you can use an incident recording form to make sure you get down exactly what you need. These online forums are an incredibly useful resource, especially when it comes to dealing with the crash further down the line.

It would also be a good idea to check your dash cam as well, if you have one, as this can give an accurate reporting of the incident. Whilst it may show you being the one at fault, it is still good to have it there as a just in case. If you do not already have one then you might want to check out a service who provides Dash cam installation in Sydney, or choose one closer to you.

Inform Your Car Insurance

It is vital that you inform your insurance about the crash as soon as you can especially if you have exchanged details with the other driver, as you do not want them getting in touch with your insurance before you. Get in there first and tell them your recollection of events. It’s best your insurance hears your side of the story first before engaging with the other driver involved.  Once you have done this, you should avoid talking to the other driver’s insurance. This is because you may slip up and make yourself liable for repair costs. If you are contacted, ask that they speak with your insurance directly. 

Seek Legal Advice

Seeking legal advice is crucial as a professional Winter Haven car accident lawyer (or another local to you) will be able to give you maximum protection and make sure that you do not accidentally incriminate yourself. To protect yourself you will need to build a case, so consulting with a personal injury lawyer is important as they will be able to advise you on what evidence you’d need to obtain, and what legal rights you have. This is especially important if you are being sued for a car accident, as you will ideally want your attorneys to fight for a settlement over going to trial. The main difference between a settlement and a trial is that the trial happens in court, with a judge whose rule cannot be appealed. So, if you are being sued, settling will be the best option for you. 

Stay Safe

Being in a car crash can shock you physically and emotionally. It’s important that you get any injuries to check out as soon as possible. Don’t wait and let these injuries get worse. You have to take care of yourself in such a troubling time. You may also want to consider counselling if you are having difficulty coming to terms with what has happened. There is no shame in seeking help.

While it may seem difficult to be pragmatic following a car crash, it will benefit you in the long run. Take care of yourself, but you have to try to keep moving forward, as recording details in a thorough manner and quickly seeking legal advice is essential. The sooner you get legal help, the easier it will be for you.