Nobody wants to encounter a fatal traffic accident in their lives. Accidents can be life-threatening and change the overall life course of the individuals involved. NHTSA released that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021. Accident situations can be overwhelming and may hinder the clarity of thought right afterward.

The adrenaline rush right after an accident can make it difficult to perform any action right after an accident crisis. Amidst all the chaos of an accident, how will you further protect yourself? What should you do right after an accident? Who should you contact first? This article talks about the necessary steps to take after you have been involved in a traffic accident. Let’s begin.

1. Ensure The Safety Of Everyone Around

First things first. If you are in a position to move, check the status of everyone involved in the accident. Assess the driver’s and passengers’ condition and ensure they are safe, not bleeding, or heavily injured. Next, check the road conditions. If the accident occurred on a two-lane road that has no guardrails, standing there for a prolonged time after an accident may put you and the other passengers at a greater risk. 

Last, look further at the accident site and determine the cause and if it may lead to more harm. If the cause of the accident was a gasoline leakage from the car, the accident site is still risky. In this case, keep everyone out of the accident scene and alert everyone around until the medical emergency services arrive.

2. Dial Emergency Numbers Immediately And Call For Help

If you are involved in a serious accident, the first thing you should do is call 911. If you lost your phone or the accident occurred in a remote area with no cell phone service, try contacting your local emergency services. Your accident might also happen in a foreign country where you are unaware of the next steps. In this scenario, it is important to contact the nearest embassy or consulate as soon as possible for assistance. All these circumstances can be draining; hence, it is best advised to seek the help of a qualified personal injury attorney. PI attorneys have the best and vast knowledge to advise you on the immediate steps to protect yourself and, if required, establish a case in the future.

3. Check For A Medical Urgency

After an accident, you should first look at both your and other drivers’ injuries. You should know how badly they have been hurt. You can only do this if you are not heavily injured and in a position to move. If someone has fainted and is not moving, immediately check to see if they have a pulse or are breathing.

If someone appears unconscious but has a pulse and breathing, they have gone into a state of shock. It simply means they are unconscious and unaware of what happened. Call the emergency services asap.

In certain situations, if no injury other than shock has occurred, medical professionals should provide first aid by cleaning minor cuts and scratches, applying ice packs to the injured area, treating a minor burn; applying bandages and dressings and a list of medicines before sending the patient home to rest until symptoms disappear over time.

If someone shows signs of shock, for example, pale skin, immediately notify the medical authorities.

4. Alert The Oncoming Traffic

Whether in a high-traffic zone or stuck in a remote area, don’t let your guard down and stay cautious so that any other approaching driver is alert. 

Use flashlights or cell phone lights to warn approaching vehicles of the accident damage. This will give these drivers enough time to take action and slow down. 

5. Click Photos Of The Accident Site

If you are involved in a serious traffic accident, be sure to take pictures of the accident. You can do this with your phone. Try to cover all the details- road conditions, weather conditions, the position of vehicles after a crash, and so on.

An accident can have several consequences on the overall quality of life of the drivers involved. Following these steps can ease the process for the injured victims to recover the settlement claim amount.