More than 300,000 car accidents happen in Canada every year.
Therefore, you need to know how to reduce your risk of being involved in a road accident and what to do should you find yourself involved in one.
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What to Do After a Car Accident
Let us first look at what you should do if you are involved in a car accident. Here are the steps you should follow.
Check for Injuries
Your first priority is to check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If you are seriously injured, do not move. Wait for emergency services to arrive.
If you or your passengers are injured, call 911 or ask someone at the scene of the accident to call for you.
Move to Safety
If you are able to move, get to safety. You and your passengers should move to the side of the road.
Also, if you are uninjured and your car is creating a hazard, you should move your vehicle to the side.
Exchange Information
You need to exchange contact details and insurance information with the other driver.
You should get information like the driver’s name, his or her insurance policy number, the vehicle’s license plate number, and the model of the vehicle.
Document the Accident
To help your insurance claim, you should document the accident scene as much as possible.
Get the contact details of witnesses and take lots of photographs. You should photograph the vehicles, the license plate of the other vehicle, the damage caused, and the wider accident scene.
Consult a Lawyer as Soon as Possible
You should contact a lawyer as soon as you can.
You can get legal advice from experienced car accident lawyers, and if the accident is caused by the other driver’s negligence, you can seek compensation for your injuries.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You should also contact your insurance company as soon as possible to get the claims process rolling.
It can be beneficial to contact your insurer from the scene of the accident.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Being Involved in a Car Accident
While other drivers can cause accidents anytime and anyplace, you can reduce your risk of becoming involved in a traffic accident when you remember to follow the rules of the road and stay vigilant at all times.
Here are some of the key things you should always do in order to lower your risk of being involved in a car accident.
Always Wear Your Seatbelt
Seatbelts save lives.
If you are involved in a car accident, you will be more than thankful that you remembered to put your seatbelt on.
Never Speed
Speed limits are in place for a reason. Speeding can cause road accidents that result in serious injuries and even fatalities.
The faster you drive, the longer it will take to stop your car in an emergency situation. So, always follow the speed limit.
Never Drive Under the Influence
One of the leading causes of road accidents is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Even if you think you are fine to drive, if you are over the alcohol limit or intoxicated with drugs, remember to never get in your car.
Never Get Distracted When Driving
Another leading cause of car accidents is distracted driving. You should never eat, text, smoke, or become distracted in any other way when you are at the wheel.
Stay alert and focused at all times and never take your eyes off the road.
Train for Poor Weather Conditions
Lastly, driving in bad weather conditions like rain, fog, or snow, can be much riskier.
If you cannot avoid driving in poor weather conditions, learn how to best drive in them to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
