Etiquette to Remember After Being Involved in a Car Accident

After you have been involved in a car accident, it is not necessarily as simple as exchanging some information with one another and leaving the scene. There are some steps that happen in-between that show that you are listening to the other party involved in the accident and sharing their concerns. Though nobody wants to face the tough reality of an accident, they continue to happen across West Virginia every year, making it difficult for all parties involved.

Remembering that etiquette is essential in these cases can help your exchanges go smoothly when it comes to speaking with the other party after an accident. Today we would like to share some accident etiquette tips with you.

Accident Etiquette 101 

Check for Injuries: One of the best ways that you can show the other driver that you care about their wellbeing is to check for injuries and ensure that they receive the care they need. You wouldn’t leave the scene of an accident if you knew that somebody’s life could be in danger. Yes, you might be worried about the state of your vehicle and the likelihood that you could be suffering injuries as well; however, it is important that everybody involved receives the care they deserve. 

Call Law Enforcement: If anyone is injured or you notice that there are serious damages to the vehicles involved, it is imperative to call law enforcement officials to handle the rest. You don’t want to leave anybody in the dust without ensuring that they receive the help they need during this desperate time. If you assume that the injuries are not serious, lives could be risked. 

Information Collection: It is necessary to exchange information with the drivers involved in the accident. There are many pieces of information that are especially important to collect, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance company names, license plate numbers, and other essentials. 

Never Apologizing: It may feel like the right thing to do at the moment, but apologizing for the accident could be seen as an admission of fault, which you want to avoid, especially when you believe that the other party has caused your accident. You do not want to fall liable for an accident that you know you did not cause, so stay away from the phrase, “I’m sorry,” at all costs and instead ensure that everybody is okay.

Being Polite: Even if you aren’t able to apologize or offer your sympathies to those who have been injured in the accident, you can show that you are supportive and caring to those involved by being polite. It only makes your accident more stressful when emotions are high and rudeness is exchanged. Keep the conversation short and sweet.

Moving Forward

It might be overwhelming to think about the various aspects that are prevalent at the scene of a car accident. From here, there will be many elements that you must consider in your accident case, but these are the first important steps that you must always remember. At Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner, our personal injury attorneys have experience in many types of personal injury claims and would like to help you following a car accident in West Virginia. By understanding how to handle yourself at the scene of an accident, you can help your case in many ways from the start. Contact us to find out how we can assist you at (304) 713-2014.