What do I do after an automobile accident?

It is no secret that getting into a car involves a certain risk of getting into a crash. Road accidents are frighteningly common both here in Washington and around the United States. In fact, according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, nearly 37,000 people die in road crashes across the United States every year.

Of course, not all road accidents are fatal. It is important to know what to do if you happen to be involved in a road accident in Washington state, no matter how serious the accident is.

In any sort of accident, it is important to pull off to a safe area on the side of the road, along with any other vehicles who may have been involved in the accident. Do not admit any sort of fault where the accident is concerned. Particularly if certain parties involved in the crash are hostile or injured, it is very important to call 911.

Even if nobody is injured and everybody has a cool head, it is important to contact the police in order to document the nature of the crash. It is better to not discuss the details of the accident with any other parties involved. The smartest course of action is to only speak with your insurance representative, medical professionals if necessary, and the police.

You will also want to document the details of the accident on your own. Make sure to get the license plate number of other vehicles involved in the accident, but also the vehicle identification number and the insurance information of other drivers. Taking photographs of any damage is also a good idea.

Having all of this information will help greatly in the aftermath of an accident.