A car accident is a horrifying experience. Now, imagine your family is involved.
Your heart is racing. The kids are crying. And you’re both in shock and angry at the other driver, who hit you.
That’s the reality for families across the U.S. every day.
Family car safety is a big deal, especially if your kids are under age 13. Seventy percent of child motor vehicle crash deaths are as a passenger vehicle occupant.
Here’s the thing:
The first few hours are crucial to the outcome of your case. If you take the right steps, your family will get the money you need to pay your bills, care for your kids, and pay off your car loan.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- First Steps After The Crash
- Protecting Your Family At The Scene
- Documentation That Actually Matters
- When To Call A Car Accident Lawyer
- Avoiding Common Mistakes That Cost You
Imagine this. It’s late, and you’re driving home. Your baby’s asleep in the backseat, and your partner is holding hands with your eldest.
Suddenly, you see headlights in the rearview mirror and hear screeching tires and a loud crunch. In seconds, your perfect evening is ruined. Your baby is now at risk. Your relationship just took a hit.
It’s a scary statistic that means car safety is every parent’s nightmare.
By contrast, doing things wrong can cause significant, life-changing problems for your family. If your family has a car accident, take a deep breath. You’re going to be okay. If you follow this article, we’ll walk you through what to do from the moment of impact to collecting on your insurance claim.
If you’re in Massachusetts, having an experienced boston car accident lawyer can make all the difference in protecting your rights and securing fair compensation.
First Steps After The Crash
The initial moments after a crash are overwhelming. And they’re even more traumatic if your family is involved.
Seconds feel like minutes, and your brain is filled with adrenaline and raw emotion.
Take a deep breath.
Your first step is ensuring everyone’s okay. Check on yourself first, then your kids and spouse.
Move no one unless they are in danger (due to oncoming traffic or fire). Traffic crashes cause 1 of every 4 unintentional injury deaths among children. Even “minor” fender benders can cause serious injury.
If anyone is injured, call 911. Stay with them and keep them calm until paramedics arrive.
Get To Safety Fast
If your car is driveable, move it to the side of the road immediately, turn on hazard lights and stay there.
Why? Because secondary accidents are the #1 thing that happen after crashes. You don’t need another car driving through the accident scene when you’re recovering.
If you can’t drive your car, get your family away from traffic and find a safe spot to wait.
Call The Police
It doesn’t matter if the accident was a fender bender. Call the police and wait until they arrive.
Why?
Insurance companies love to deny claims based on “fault.” But how do you prove fault without a police report? A police report often shows who was at fault, making insurance adjusters and attorneys take your claim seriously.
Be polite to the officer, but only say what you saw. Don’t speculate or admit fault. Stick to the facts.
Document, Document, Document
While the police officer is there, start taking photos. Use your phone to take pictures of:
- All vehicle damage
- The scene from multiple angles
- License plates of all vehicles involved
- Street signs and traffic lights
- Any skid marks or debris
Get the name, phone number, insurance company, and policy number of the other driver. If there were witnesses, get their contact information too.
Pro tip: If the other driver seems angry, keep your distance and let the police take over all communications with them.
When To Contact A Florida Car Accident Attorney
Let’s clear something up.
Lawyers aren’t only for “serious” accidents. If your family is involved in any accident with injuries, significant property damage, or disputed fault, you need an attorney.
A Florida car accident attorney will protect your family’s rights and help you get the maximum amount of money possible.
Don’t wait. Insurance companies start working against you immediately. You should too.
Call your attorney right away. Most car accident lawyers offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by calling.
Contact Your Insurance Company (But Be Smart About It)
You must report the accident to your insurance company, usually within 24 hours.
The thing most people get wrong? They chit-chat with the insurance adjuster for 20 minutes before they tell them an accident happened.
Keep the call short and to the point. Don’t guess about who was at fault or minimize any injuries. Simply tell them an accident happened and give the basic details.
Important: Don’t give the insurance company a recorded statement until you’ve talked to an attorney. Insurance companies use these statements to reduce their payouts later.
Hidden Injuries To Watch For
After an accident, adrenaline masks pain and shock. That means serious injuries can remain hidden for hours or even days after an accident.
Watch all your family members closely for several days after an accident. Look for:
- Headaches or dizziness
- Neck or back pain
- Behavioral changes (especially in children)
- Trouble sleeping
- Memory problems
See a doctor immediately if anyone has symptoms. Don’t wait “to see if it gets better.”
The Big Mistakes That Cost Families Thousands
Mistake #1: Saying “I’m fine” at the scene
One of the most costly mistakes accident victims make is to tell the other driver, police, or insurance adjuster they’re “fine.” You can be hurt and tell them you’re fine. Words have power. They can haunt you later.
Mistake #2: Accepting the first settlement offer
Insurance companies are in business to pay as little as possible. One of their favorite tactics is to make a very low first offer hoping the victim will accept before realizing the true extent of their damages.
Don’t fall for it.
Mistake #3: Posting on social media
In this day and age, a Facebook or Instagram post can get you in a lot of trouble.
Insurance companies comb social media for anything an accident victim posts that contradicts their injury claim.
The best rule of thumb? Don’t post anything about the accident or your recovery, on any social media site.
Mistake #4: Not keeping records
Insurance companies and adjusters are looking for reasons to deny or minimize your claim.
Keep every receipt, medical bill, and any paper that has to do with your accident and your family’s recovery. You’ll need them when you file your claim, and they may be needed for legal action.
Protect Your Family’s Future
Car accidents cause immediate pain and suffering. But their consequences can be long lasting, causing problems for years.
- Medical bills pile up, putting pressure on your family finances
- Lost work time results in less take-home pay
- Vehicles need repair or replacement
- Children develop anxiety over riding in cars
These are problems no family wants to face.
The good news is taking the right steps right after an accident will help protect your family’s financial future.
The bottom line is this. The decisions you make in the first few hours after an accident determine how well your family recovers financially and physically.
Taking action today protects your family tomorrow.