Millions of people in the United States have been involved in car accidents, and while the statistics can be troubling, what’s important to remember is how to conduct yourself in the immediate aftermath of a crash. Clearly, there will be a lot going through anyone’s head in the minutes following such an occurrence, which is why it’s important to remember that there are certain steps you should take to make sure that you and your passengers are protected.

1. Safety first – If your crash has just occurred, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you and your passengers have come through it all without serious injuries. If not, then try to move your car to the side of the road in a safe manner so you’re out of the way of traffic. If someone is seriously hurt, do not try to move them unless there is immediate danger.

2. Don’t assume – After you’ve moved yourself and your passengers to a safe place, contact the police. Odds are that someone else will make the call, but do not assume that’s the case – contact the police and give them your location.

3. Exchange information – You should also politely approach the other vehicle to make sure that its occupants are alright. If so, offer to exchange contact and insurance information, but nothing else. Do not discuss the details of the accident. If the other driver is agitated, simply walk back to your car and wait for the police to arrive.

4. Give a statement – When the police arrive, simply answer the questions and give the officer the best account you can based only on what you remember. If you do not clearly remember something, do not ‘fill in the blanks’ in your own head.

5. Get attention – Even if you’re not feeling injured, you should still obtain a medical evaluation, as some injuries do not show themselves immediately. When that’s completed, you’ll need to contact an attorney to make sure that your rights are properly protected and asserted if necessary.

If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident, contact the Seattle auto accident lawyers at Phillips & Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation.