Injuries and fatalities on America’s roadways are more prevalent than ever. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of crashes rose over 7% in 2020 when compared to the previous year. As such, this data suggests that your risk of accident is moderately high as well.
Speeding, inattention and failing to obey traffic signs and signals are all common causes of crashes, and if you find yourself involved in a wreck, there are a few steps you may want to take as soon as possible to protect yourself and your interests after this type of incident.
Contact your insurance carrier
After an accident, speaking with your insurance carrier can help you with getting your claim started as soon as possible. When you speak with your local representative, there are a few pieces of information you can offer, including:
- Where the accident occurred
- The condition of your car
- The name and insurance carrier of the other driver
While you may believe you understand who was at fault for the crash, you may want to wait for the police to arrive and make a report. Do not admit any type of blame at this time but answer any questions posed to you by the authorities as completely as you can.
Freeze or privatize social media accounts
Social media has a way of spreading misinformation, so it is a good idea to pause or privatize your accounts before this happens. This not only protects your privacy but prevents those related to the other driver from seeking you out and making false statements about the crash. You may also want to refrain from discussing the crash publicly at all, especially if you plan to file a personal injury lawsuit.
The increase of crashes on both highways and in urban areas could put you at greater risk for injury. While not all crashes seem serious at first, even impacts at lower speeds can cause physical trauma and the need for financial compensation later on.
