You’ve been in a car accident and you pull over to the side of the road or the nearest safety stop. What happens now? After being involved in a car accident, whether serious or minor, there’s an appropriate sequence of steps to take under Pennsylvania state law to ensure your legal protection in the future.
Don’t Leave the Scene.
Pennsylvania law requires drivers involved in an accident to stay at the scene. Pull over to the nearest safe location that is not obstructing traffic. After you are in a safe location, assess the situation. Make sure no one is injured or that there’s no emergencies, such as potential fires. If needed, call 9-1-1 to report the accident so they can send the appropriate emergency response team to your location.
Exchange Information.
After pulling off the road to a safe location and assessing the situation, talk to the driver of the other vehicle. You should should exchange some essential information that will make contact easier and help navigate insurance details and possible legal circumstances in the future. Drivers of all parties involved should exchange:
Names, addresses, phone numbers, and other contact information
Driver license numbers
License plate numbers
Car insurance information
Take Photos.
You should always take your own photos of both or all of the vehicles involved in the accident. Even if another party is also snapping pictures, it could help your case later having your own photos. Take photos of the front, end, and sides of the vehicles. If the other person does not want you taking photos of their car, let them know that it is your right to document the situation and damage to the vehicles for later use.
After taking the appropriate steps after an accident, you may need to report the accident to your insurance company as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Depending on the circumstances of the car crash, it may be in your best interest to contact an experienced car accident attorney so you’re financially and legally protected.
Call our personal injury law firm today at (610) 492-7155 and let us help you navigate the legal aspects of your car accident. We’re ready to help you!