What Should You Do If a Car Accident Occurs During a Road Trip?

A car accident on a road trip can quickly derail all of your plans. However, by staying calm and reacting proactively in the aftermath of the crash, you can make the best of a bad situation. In this article, we discuss the steps you can take to protect your physical and financial wellbeing if a collision occurs while you’re on a road trip.

Assessing the Aftermath of the Collision

The first and most important priority after any accident is protecting the wellbeing of yourself and any passengers in your vehicle. If your car is still operable, maneuver out of the way of traffic. Get your car to the shoulder of the road, into a parking lot, or off the road to a safe place. Turn on the vehicle’s hazard lights so other motorists can more easily see your disabled vehicle.

Check all passengers in your vehicle for visible signs of injuries or strange behavior that may suggest a head wound. If anyone in your vehicle requires medical assistance, call 911 right away for help. Do not wait to call for assistance. After calling 911, do not attempt to move anyone who seems to be seriously hurt, as this could worsen their injuries. If the scene is made unsafe, such as by a car leaking fuel or catching on fire, you may need to move injured victims regardless of their condition to prevent imminent harm.

Gathering Information for Future Actions

Once you’ve made sure everyone is ok, you need to begin collecting crucial evidence that will help you deal with the aftermath of the accident. Exchange contact details and insurance information with all other drivers involved in the accident.  This includes names, phone numbers, and insurance company details. Make sure to exchange this information before leaving the scene of the accident! You may also consider taking down the contact details of any witnesses who saw the accident unfold in its entirety.

Your recollection of the accident may be fuzzy in the days to come, so take thorough pictures of the scene if it’s safe to do so. Photograph visible to damage to all involved vehicles from multiple angles, as well as any visible injuries you or your passengers suffered. You should also get pictures of road signs, traffic signals, and weather conditions that could have contributed to the accident. All of this information is invaluable for a car accident lawyer in Houston, should you choose to explore legal options after the wreck.

Contacting Authorities & Your Insurance Provider

After gathering evidence at the scene of the collision, you’re going to want to contact local law enforcement to report the crash. They will carry out an investigation of the crash scene, document their findings, and put together an accident report. The accident report they create can be an essential piece of evidence for insurance claims or injury lawsuits. When the officer(s) arrive, cooperate with them and answer their questions honestly and to the best of your ability.

You will then need to report the accident to your insurance company. It is advisable not to accept blame for the accident at this stage. Simply report the facts of the situation and that the crash did occur. You may wish to speak with a car accident lawyer before accepting an insurance company’s initial settlement offer for damages incurred in the collision.

Repairing Your Vehicle & Finding Accommodation

If your car is not drivable due to the accident, you will need to arrange for towing services to move it to a repair shop. Your insurance company may have some recommended repair shops in the area, but in most cases they are not able to force you to use a specific mechanic if there is another shop you would prefer to use.

Depending on the extent of the damage, repairs may take time. In some cases, your car may be declared a “total loss,” or totaled. In this case, the cost of necessary repairs would exceed the car’s current value. If your road trip cannot be put on hold and no one in your party is seriously hurt, explore options for temporary accommodation.

Dealing with the Aftermath of a Road Trip Collision

You will need to actively follow up with the insurance companies, repair shop, and medical providers involved in any stage of the crash process. Confirm that these parties have all of the information they need to process your various claims and address any medical issues.

Car accidents can be emotionally draining, even if no one suffered serious injuries in the collision. You may consider seeking support from family, friends, or mental health professionals if you are struggling to process the aftermath of the collision. Talking about your experience and processing your emotions can help you move forward with your life.

We hope this article helps you handle a car accident, if you ever find yourself in this position while going on a road trip. Safe travels!