If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in Oregon, it is important to stay calm and take the necessary steps to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. Even if you’re the one responsible for the accident, you may be able to have a positive impact on the situation by remaining calm and taking the appropriate actions.
Safety first
If you can, move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic. Check to see if anyone has been injured and, if so, call for medical assistance. If you are not sure whether or not someone is injured, it is always better to err on the side of caution and call for help.
Involve the police
In most jurisdictions, the police must be notified of any motor vehicle accident that results in injury or death. Even if there are no injuries, it is a good idea to involve the police so that they can file an accident report. This report can be useful later on if you need to make an insurance claim or take legal action.
Exchange information
Get the name, contact information, and insurance information from the other driver. Additionally, it is a good idea to take photos of the damage to both vehicles as well as any visible injuries. Next, try to find witnesses and get their names and contact information. They may be able to provide valuable information later on.
Seek medical attention
If you were injured in the accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, it is always better to get checked out by a medical professional. You should also consider getting the doctor’s report for your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Although it’s difficult to remain calm after a car accident, it’s important to remember that your actions can have a big impact on the situation. Make sure you assess the situation, involve the police, exchange information with the other driver and witnesses and seek medical attention if necessary.