What to Do If You’re in a Car Accident During a Road Trip

Taking a road trip with friends or family is always an exciting time. Whether you’re traveling a relatively short distance from home or logging lots of miles and driving into neighboring states, the journey can be as much fun as the actual destination.

Unfortunately, there is also the potential for disaster along the way. Beyond campy roadside attractions, you may wind up in a car accident during your road trip. These tips will help you know what to do if you are in a car crash while on your big adventure.

Call 911

No matter where you go, you will still be able to call emergency services for assistance. When you call the police, do your best to let them know where you are and what happened. Local law enforcement officers should arrive shortly to assist with moving disabled vehicles out of the road and getting paramedics on the scene to treat injuries.

It’s also vital to call the police even if the accident seems minor. You may have more extensive damage to your vehicle than you realize or more serious injuries. The police will fill out a police report that details what happened, which your insurance company will need.

Seek Immediate Medical Care

If you get into a car accident during your road trip, it is likely the detour you don’t want to take. However, you should not skip getting medical treatment for any injuries. You may only see a few small cuts or scrapes, but deeper down on the inside, you may have internal bleeding, a traumatic brain injury, or injuries that threaten your spinal column.

Always get checked out after any car accident, whether it is in your hometown or a place further away. If you do wind up having serious injuries, these will be documented in your medical records and it will be easier to hold the driver who caused the crash responsible for your medical expenses.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

In all accidents, regardless of where they occur, you must exchange insurance information and contact information with the other drivers involved. If they are unwilling to supply this information, you can let the police know. They are obligated to present this information to law enforcement, and it will be entered into your police report.

Gather Evidence

Every accident will result in evidence that can be used to determine who caused it and who should be held responsible. Sometimes, each driver can share the blame. With evidence, you can help show what happened and avoid incurring more fault than you deserve.

Take photos of the vehicles in their positions and up-close with the damages. Make a video that records the entire scene to capture the location and the current weather conditions. Be very thorough as you capture this evidence to have every angle covered.

Additionally, you’ll want to speak to any witnesses who saw your accident. They may have vital details about the other driver, such as seeing them texting just moments before they collided with your vehicle.

Inform Your Insurance Company

Whether you caused the accident or not, you are still responsible for letting your own insurance company know what happened. Stick to the facts and do not speculate as insurance adjusters look for ways to reduce their payouts.

If you are still in Missouri, the at-fault laws require the driver who caused the crash to be responsible for damages. The other driver could call your insurance company to file a claim and you must inform your insurer of this potential by reporting the crash.

If you’ve ventured over state lines, the fault laws may be different. Your insurance will cover you nationwide, though jurisdiction may be more complex depending on where you have driven on your trip.

Avoid Blaming or Admitting Fault

Getting into a car accident while on a road trip can be even more aggravating than getting into one in your local area. While it is frustrating, and it may potentially cut your trip short, there is little to gain by blaming the other driver, even when they fully caused the accident to occur.

Additionally, you may be sorry that these circumstances have arisen, but you should never apologize at the accident scene. This can be taken as an admission of fault, and it can easily be used against you when you’re trying to file your car accident claim. However, it is perfectly acceptable to ask the other driver if they are OK and if they need medical assistance.

Follow Up with Doctors’ Orders

After receiving your initial medical treatment, it is important to follow through with what the doctors advise. If you are told to see a specialist, make sure you schedule the appointment and go. Keep all records, receipts, and bills from these medical visits. If you don’t, you may run into problems when making your injury claim. The insurer may claim you’re not as seriously injured as you say if you aren’t following the treatment plan outlined by medical professionals.

Stay Off Social Media

Plenty of people love documenting their life’s adventures on social media. However, if you’ve been in a car accident on a road trip, or even in your place of residence, you should never post about it. Attorneys often recommend staying off social media while your case is open because the insurance companies will be looking for anything they can use to lower your payout or deny your claim.

Get In Touch with a Car Accident Attorney

Your road trip car accident has the potential to leave you with serious physical injuries, mental impacts, and financial issues. Things can get even more complicated when you’re miles away from home. In these situations, it is best to speak with a car accident attorney who can take over on your behalf during the legal process while you work on healing from your injuries.

If you’re in need of a car accident lawyer, contact Hipskind & McAninch today.