Even the most careful driver can have a car accident in winter. Limited visibility, icy roads, and careless fellow drivers can all contribute to a winter driving mishap—and all those things are out of your control. To feel safer and minimize your risk of more serious damage to yourself, your passengers, or your automobile, remember these six steps that are within your control.
1. Move to a Safe Place
If you’re able to move your car, get it out of the paths of other vehicles. If not, get yourself and your passengers out of the car. Especially in snow-related car accidents, other vehicles could slide and skid into your automobile, turning a minor accident into something more serious.
2. Call 911 and/or Contact the Police
Once you’re out of harm’s way, get immediate medical attention for anyone injured in the accident. It’s a good idea to file a police report to document the details in the moment in case you have trouble recalling details in the future. Stay calm, don’t speculate, and avoid placing nor assuming blame. Stick to the facts.
3. Write Down the Information
Write down the information of the other driver or drivers, including their names, addresses, phone numbers, drivers’ license numbers, and insurance information. Look around for any witnesses and get their contact information, too.
4. Preserve the Evidence
That cell phone in your purse or back pocket can come in handy here. Take pictures of your injuries, damage to your car, the accident scene, any poor road conditions, limited sight lines, or covered road signs—anything that may have contributed to the accident.
5. Call Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance company but don’t consent to a recorded statement.
Don’t talk to the insurance companies of the other drivers involved. Leave that to your insurance company or attorney.
6. Contact an Auto Accident Attorney
Car accidents aren’t everyday occurrences for any of us, so knowing how to handle one when the pressure is on is tough under any circumstance. They’re even more difficult to handle if you or a passenger is injured. Calling on an experienced attorney will go a long way to helping you cope with the issues that may result from a winter driving accident. An attorney who is skilled in handling auto accident-related claims won’t let an insurance company take advantage of you. If you must deal with chronic pain, lost time at work, or medical bills, you deserve to be compensated.
If you need an auto accident attorney in Maryland, call the Law Office of Arthur Crum.
He is a Maryland attorney who represents individuals who have been injured due to vehicle accidents (including car, motorcycle, and commercial truck accidents). If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you can count on us to work hard to obtain you all the benefits and compensation you are entitled to recover under the law.
There are approximately 6 million car accidents every year, and while most of these are not fatal, many do result in personal injury and vehicular damage. If it happens to you during this winter driving season, follow these steps and remember: you can reach out by phone or email to get the legal help you need from the Law Offices of Arthur Crum.
