Just like that, in the blink of an eye—your life can change forever. Car accidents can happen so quickly that in the immediate aftermath, your mind will be racing as you’ll attempt to process what just took place and what shall happen next, especially if there are injuries sustained.
While each car in Canada has a car insurance policy issued by trusted insurance brokers to cover the cost of repair damage to the other vehicle and the damage that your vehicle has sustained, what happens and who covers the injuries of the passengers if there are any misfortunate people who sustained injuries because of the car wreck? In addition, what happens to all unfortunate bystanders who were not in control of any of the vehicles and were not responsible for the incident, but they still need to deal with whatever the outcome is?
In this brief article, we’ll take you through the proper steps and things that you need to do, who to talk to, and how to cope with experiencing a car accident in Ontario.
Immediately Seek Help For Any Injured Passengers
If someone indicates that they are injured at any time after the accident, don’t move them on your own. Instead, immediately call 911 and ask for professional medical assistance on the road.
If the injured passenger is still in their vehicle, try to make them feel more comfortable, and don’t move them unless they’re in imminent danger. Moreover, even in cases of imminent danger, it’s highly recommended to let someone with appropriate first aid response training decide whether and how to move the injured passenger.
On the other hand, if an injured person has already exited the vehicle, they should move to the side of the road and stay away from the accident scene. In the meantime, you or someone you’ll ask can take photos of the accident scene and gather information about all parties involved. Lastly, please don’t move the vehicles until the police officers arrive and say it’s OK to do so.
Alert All Other Drivers Of The Accident
Unfortunately, roadside car accidents seem to be a magnet for more casualties in their wake. For that reason, while you’re waiting for the police to arrive, make sure that your hazard lights are on. In addition, if you carry flares or other signaling devices like warning triangles in the back of your trunk, place them out to warn other motorists of the accident scene.
If you don’t have a triangle or a flare, tie bright clothing to the trunks of the vehicles involved in the accident or on the antennas to warn other drivers. Furthermore, even though it’s not recommended that you direct traffic if you opt to, stay visible and use a tool like a flashlight. At the same time, everyone else should stay well away from the vehicles and off the roadway to avoid being hit if another motorist veers at the last second to avoid the accident scene.
Take Evidence Of The Accident Scene And The Vehicles Involved
After you provide medical care to those in need and alert the other drivers of the accident that took place, if you can move around safely, you should take your smartphone and seize evidence of the car accident scene. If you can’t gather evidence on your own, you can ask a bystander or a witness to take some photos and videos for you.
Make sure to document all visible damages to your car, the position of your car among the other vehicles, nearby buildings, the sidewalks, and any obstacles like trash cans or lamp posts. This evidence of the accident scene and the damage to your car can prove invaluable in a potential court case if you can’t settle with the insurance provider about the compensation.
Also, if all the injured parties are filing a claim against the negligent driver, the total sum in damages may well exceed the driver’s liability car insurance coverage. If that’s the case, you can book a consultation with a professional law firm such as Grillo Law and bring all of your gathered evidence so that an experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine what the settlement value could be for you versus the other passengers.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Last but not least, reach out to your insurance company as soon as you can. In the end, the auto insurance policy represents a contract between you and them, and one of your primary obligations to that contract is to notify the insurance provider as quickly as you’re able to after experiencing a car accident, regardless of who caused it.
This will help the insurance company to provide better protection for you if the other driver decides to file a claim against you through their lawyers. Delaying the notification of your insurance company can have troublesome financial and legal consequences for you, so take the initiative as fast as possible.
Final Words
Being involved in a car accident can bring about a lot of confusion, stress, and despair. In the immediate aftermath of such an event, try your best to stay as calm as possible while working through the steps of ensuring that everyone received proper medical attention and alerting the other motorists of the accident. After that, gather evidence of the accident scene, contact your lawyer, and report the event to your insurance provider that you stay on top of everything and get fully compensated for your damages.