A car crash is never a nice experience, but it’s something that we may eventually have to deal with. According to Esurance, roughly 77% of all drivers will have been in at least one accident. Every 1,000 miles, you have roughly a 1 in 366 chance of being in some kind of crash. Those aren’t low odds by any stretch, and it’s in your best interests to be as prepared as possible.
So here are some tips on how to handle a car crash with a calm and composed manner.
REMAIN AS CALM AS POSSIBLE AND CONTROL YOUR FRUSTRATIONS
There are many different reactions to a car crash. Some people will feel scared, others angry, and there are those who want nothing more than to attack the person who caused it. However, the most logical and sensible thing to do here is remain calm. Not only does getting angry cause a lot of stress and cloud your judgment, but there are more important things to worry about.
MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS SAFE AS SOON AS YOU’RE CONSCIOUS
A car crash could knock you unconscious for a few minutes, or you could be lucid for the entire thing. Either way, the very first thing you should do is check on everyone in your vehicle. If possible, try and pull over your car if you can. If the car isn’t in working condition, switch the engine off immediately and turn on your hazard lights. This will help warn others that you are unable to move and they should be more careful driving around you.
Next, check for injuries before you move. Take note of any pain that you feel and ask your passengers how they’re doing. If anyone is injured, make sure you call for an ambulance while you’re still in the car. Once you’ve confirmed everyone’s condition, you’ll want to get all of your passengers out of the vehicle in a quick and organized manner. Don’t push each other, tell people to remain calm, and take it easy.
APPROACH THE OTHERS WHO WERE ALSO IN THE CRASH
You might get people who want nothing more than to contact their car accident lawyer so they can immediately seek compensation. Others will be extremely apologetic and do anything to not make you angry. There are many different kinds of personalities, but you need to approach them all with a clear head. Yes, you might be angry at them, but it’s vital that you remain as calm as possible so that you can exchange information.
If there were people involved that fled the scene, you can still ask around to see if anyone saw their license plate. Once everyone has exchanged information, you can start to clean up the situation by contacting emergency services.
SOME CLOSING THOUGHTS
There are many troubling things to think about after a crash. Perhaps you’re worried about the costs of a car crash, or maybe you’re concerned about a friend who was injured. The important thing is to try and keep a level head so that your thoughts are organized. This will prevent you from thinking of too many things at once and ultimately being unproductive and in a state of panic after the crash.
Photo Credit: Per Lööv
