With over 6 million car accidents occurring each year, there’s a good chance that you’ll be in one sooner or later. Hopefully, when it happens, it will only be a minor car accident. However, regardless of the severity, it’s always good to know what to do when someone hits your car.

This is important because the steps you take next can impact the rest of your life. Follow these tips to help ensure the best possible outcome.

1. Check for Injuries and Call for Assistance

The very first thing to do is check to see if everyone is okay. If anyone has serious injuries, call 911 immediately.

Next, make sure that everyone gets to a safe place out of the way of oncoming traffic. Note that if someone is seriously injured, it’s best not to move them, as you could make their injuries worse. If possible, turn on hazard lights or light flares so other drivers can see that there’s a problem.

2. Gather Information

Exchange information with the other driver, take photos, and talk to witnesses. You’ll want to gather as much information as possible as you may need it later.

If there are no injuries, you’ll still need to call the police so they can document everything and file an official police report.

3. Seek Medical Attention

Many auto accident injuries aren’t noticeable right away. It’s always a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional even if you feel fine. This way, if you have problems later, everything is documented.

4. Contact an Attorney

The next thing to do is to contact a car wreck attorney. You may be eligible for compensation. Even if you don’t necessarily want to sue, it’s important to understand your rights.

5. Contact Your Insurance Company

You’ll still want to contact your insurance company even if the other driver was clearly at fault. Just let them know you’re filing a third-party claim with the other party’s insurer.

Bonus: What to Do When Someone Hits Your Car When It’s Parked

Not all car accidents happen when we’re in them. If you come out to your car to find that it’s been damaged, follow the following steps:

  1. Call the police – your insurance company will usually want a copy of the police report before they’ll consider paying for your damages.
  2. Collect information – if the driver is still there, get their name, phone number, insurance information, and the make and model of the vehicle. If they left a note, take a photo so you have an extra copy. If not, ask around to see if there were any witnesses.
  3. Take photos – document the damage and anything else that might help your claim.
  4. Contact your insurance company – explain what happened and ask how to begin the claims process.

Prepare Yourself for Life’s Road Bumps

Now that you know what to do when someone hits your car, you’ll be able to stay calm and make good decisions.

Want to make sure you’re prepared for whatever else life throws at you? Browse through more of our blog posts for some excellent tips and tricks!