You’re on your way back home after visiting Pittsburgh, driving on Interstate 376. Suddenly, a driver cuts you off too closely and hits your car. You spin out and crash into the other driver. Once your car comes to a stop, you quickly do a check to make sure you and the other passengers are okay. You can open your door to step out. But your mind races with shock. What do you do now?

A car accident can be a terrifying experience. The surprise and shock can leave you unsure about what to do. By being prepared, you can make sure you receive proper medical care and collect the right information for your insurance claim. Here are a few tips for what to do after a car accident.

• Call the police – Emergency responders can ensure that you receive proper medical care for any injuries. Police will make a report that you need for insurance. Pennsylvania requires you to report an accident that causes injury or severe damage, so you are better off having the police respond right away.
• Check for injuries – Car accidents can leave you with severe and life-threatening injuries. Make sure you and your passengers are okay.
• Seek medical treatment – Get medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if you don’t have any obvious injuries, get checked out by a medical professional. Some serious injuries can take time to appear. If symptoms do appear later, go to the doctor right away.
• Take notes of the accident – Keep a pen and paper in your car or use your smartphone. Make a note of the damage to both vehicles. Take pictures if you can.
• Exchange information – You will need the other driver’s name, number and insurance information for your insurance claim. Ask the police if you can have a copy of their report as well. If there are any witnesses, see if you can get their names and phone numbers. Do not admit fault or blame anyone.
• Contact insurance – Once you have received medical treatment, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to make a claim. Provide them with as much detail as possible. Insurance companies will often try to deny you benefits, so make sure they have all the documentation you collected.

Once you have contacted insurance, you may need to prove to them that the accident was not your fault. If they don’t approve your claim, you will be on the hook for expensive medical bills.

By staying prepared and collecting as much information as possible, you will increase the likelihood of an approved insurance claim. If you are injured, you should call one of our personal injury attorneys at [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-2″].