Law Credo
While getting a driver's license is an exciting milestone for teens, it's more likely to create worry and excitement for their parents. Teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 have the highest chance of being involved in an automobile accident of any age group.
Car accidents are a significant cause of death and injury. The major causes of these accidents are driver error and reckless driving. Teen drivers are especially prone to these types of accidents due to their inexperience and lack of knowledge about road rules. They tend to become sidetracked by cell phones and other gadgets simultaneously, exacerbating the issue.
While teens may not be able to prevent all car accidents, they can take steps to protect themselves in the event of one. As such, teens need to take the proper steps after a car accident to ensure their safety, the safety of others, and the protection of their legal rights.
This article will discuss the steps teen drivers should take after a car accident to ensure their safety and legal protection.
Keep Calm and Avoid Panic
It is the first and most crucial step after any car accident. It is a normal reaction to worry after an accident. Consequently, you may go into shock and Panic, which will tamper your thought process, making you lose sight of what is essential at the time.
You must take deep breaths and maintain composure to take the necessary precautions to safeguard yourself and other passengers.
Check for Injuries
It is crucial to check for any injuries. Injuries can be mild or fatal; however, all in all, they need to be addressed. Checking will determine whether any medical attention is required. Therefore, you must be attentive to the people in the car and their states of pain or bleeding, among other signs of injury. Where one has suffered fatal injuries, call the ambulance emergency numbers. You can also perform first aid where possible.
Get Out of the Car
Try to get out of the car and help other casualties do the same. It would be best if you did this fast, especially when you suspect fuel leaks or when the accident is fatal and severe damage has occurred, as the car can explode. Be extremely cautious when exiting your vehicle, even if you don't believe you were hurt, especially if the collision occurred on a highway or busy street. You may not be making rational decisions that might endanger you.
When the other passengers are severely injured, and you need to move them out of the car, seek guidance from medical personnel.
Report the Accident
Call the police, even if there are no injuries or the collision is small. Drive your car gently to the side of the road so it doesn't obstruct traffic if you're not hurt and the crash is minor. Turn on your hazard lights to warn other cars to slow down, and place emergency triangles that are reflective, then report the crash. If the collision is more severe or someone is injured, leave the cars where they are as you call the police.
Legal guidance and advice in the event of a car accident are vital as they can help you understand the process and their rights. So, you should seek car accident lawyer guidance by contacting your lawyer or getting one. They will advise accordingly on what procedures to take regarding the law.
Collect Information and Take Photos
Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and driver's license numbers of all parties involved in the collision using a pen and paper or your cellphone's camera. Collect all information and take photos. Determine the person's connection to the owner if the driver's name doesn't match the car's insurance or registration documents.
Then compile all car details, such as the year, make, and model, as well as the color, license plate number, and VIN. To be prepared if the other party fails to report the collision, obtain the insurance policy and company's phone numbers. You can get specifics about what people observed by asking any witnesses whether they would be open to testifying.
You can take photos of the accident scene and the vehicles involved taking close-up shots of the damage on both. Make sure to capture any skid marks or property damage. Take note of the names of the streets and the directions that each car was traveling in before and during the collision. It is a frequently overlooked element whose knowledge is crucial in providing evidence to the insurance company and helping protect your driver's legal rights.
Conclusion
When driving, it is crucial to heed traffic rules and signs and pay attention to the road. It will prevent you from getting into any accidents. Taking extra precautions is better than being arrogant if you are still a learner. However, sometimes even after doing everything right, one can still get into an accident. It is at this point that the above procedure becomes beneficial.
