You’re a young driver, so you aren’t familiar with what you’re meant to do if you get into a crash. You’re shaken up, and you have a few injuries that are making it hard to concentrate.
It’s very simple to start with. If you’re hurt, you need to call for emergency help. Your health is the most important thing to worry about. If you’re in good enough shape, you should see if others involved in the collision are hurt. If they are, try to make them comfortable or help them until emergency help arrives.
When you call for the ambulance, the police and fire department may also deploy to the scene. The police may take a report and will want to talk to you about what happened. Don’t admit fault, even if you think you may have caused the accident. Don’t apologize, either. Answer the officer’s questions directly and honestly while keeping those thoughts in mind.
After you speak to the police, you may want to speak with your attorney. At this time, the other party’s insurance company may try to offer you a settlement. You should wait before you accept it. It may seem like a lot of money or seem like it isn’t enough; no matter what happens, you need to wait to find out how many bills you have and how serious your losses are before you accept any kind of compensation.
Car crashes result in many legal and health complications, but with time, you can heal and overcome any obstacles. Remember to stay calm and focus on recovery.
Source: Teens Health, “What to Do After a Car Crash,” accessed Feb. 07, 2018
