With as many automobiles as there are on the road, your chances of being in an accident at some point are very high. Hopefully, it’s a minor fender bender that doesn’t result in significant damage or injury, or the need to hire experienced attorneys Honolulu hi and go to court. Whatever the severity of the accident, there are some universal guidelines to follow if it happens to you.
Make Sure Everyone is Safe
The first and most important thing to do after an accident is to make sure everyone involved is safe. Hopefully, everyone will be unharmed, but if someone has a broken bone or wound, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you are trained in CPR or emergency response, offer care if necessary. But only do so if it is safe for you to approach. If there are open flames or gasoline and oil spills, wait for the authorities.
Call the Police
In less severe circumstances where people aren’t hurt, it is still important to file a police report. Call either their non-emergency number or 9-1-1 if you are in a high traffic area. This will be important for both legal and insurance purposes.
Stick to the Facts
It’s important not to say too much at the scene of an accident. If you tell the other person involved that you didn’t see them or it was your fault, this will go into the police report, and will be very hard to dispute later. It’s best to ask if they are unhurt and safe, and then say you don’t want to discuss what happened until the police arrive to take your statements.
Accidents happen. Vehicles and property can be replaced, so safety must always be the top priority. After that, be sure to inform authorities to get the matter on record. Be honest without taking blame or offering unnecessary information.