Business trips can be a busy but enjoyable experience. You get to get away from your standard place of work and see a new city or even country. Unfortunately, disaster does not care where you are or why you are there and could strike at any moment. Car accidents can occur at any moment and it is important that you conduct yourself properly in the aftermath and equip yourself with the basic emergency care. The situations will be incredibly stressful, but by following these steps you can ensure you are putting yourself in the best position. Here is what you have to do if you are involved in a car accident during a business trip.
Contact Emergency Services
As soon as you get out of the car, your first phone call should be towards 911 or emergency services to get the proper services out to the scene of the accident. This is advised as you will have one more piece of legal documentation for an accident that did not occur near your place of residence. Emergency services will also be able to provide any immediate medical assistance or deal with any pressing issues at the accident as well. Never hesitate to contact EMS as they will greatly assist you during this stressful time.
Collect All Documents at the Scene of the Accident
After making sure you don’t need instant medical care, the next thing you should do is get your phone out and start taking photos. By getting a photo of all the damages on both your car and the other driver’s car. Some drivers will beat up their car even more after an accident in an attempt to claim it happened during the accident and put more blame onto you. These photos will stop that from happening. It is also important that you never admit fault while collecting this documentation. Finally, look to collect the personal information of the driver along with their license plate number. Exchange insurance policies and find a way that you can contact this person in the future.
Hire an Attorney
It is important to understand that every city, state, and country, has different laws that they abide by and follow. The laws in your city might not be the same as the laws of the place where your accident occurred. If you’re in doubt and have no idea of the process, there’s a big chance you also don’t know the answer to whose fault is it? Because of this, one of the best things that you can do is hire an attorney to help represent you. From there, your attorney will proceed to either attempt to clear your name, or minimize the penalties you will receive. They will also work to understand the laws in that area and will construct a case using the information that you have provided them with. The last thing you want to worry about when attempting to recover from an injury is a course case. Therefore, hire an attorney so you can relax while they do the necessary work for you.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Take the time to contact your insurance company and inform them that you have been involved in a car accident. They will open up a claim and ask you a variety of questions necessary to your case. This will help you to get some of the money that you need for medical expenses and possible compensation for your car depending on your insurance policy. Many people do not realize, but you are legally obligated to report any accident to your insurance company. The last thing you want to be worrying about with an accident in another area is possible legal repercussions as well. Get in contact with your insurance company within 72 hours of the accident to help start your claim.
No matter where you are, getting into an accident is a stressful and frustrating time. By following these steps, however, you can take some of the pain off and allow yourself to focus on recovering. Always remember to collect documentation at the scene of the accident and take as many photos as possible. Contact emergency services to have them come out during the scene. Finally, look to hire an attorney to represent you during this time and contact your insurance company so that they can start your claim. Remember to provide your attorney with the insurance information as they will work closely with them during this time period. Don’t let a car accident ruin your life for the next few months. Follow these steps and ensure that you are protected and prepared for whatever comes your way.
