Vehicular collisions are traumatic. So much can happen in just a short amount of time that you probably will feel overwhelmed and not know what to do.
Here are some answers to common questions about these accidents and what to do if you experience one.
Were you wearing a seat belt?
You will more than likely get into an accident during your time on the road. Your chance of injury or death is significant. One-third of people get injured or killed in crashes. However, if you are wearing a seatbelt, your chances of serious injuries or death are much less. Always make sure you put your seat belt on, even if you have airbags in your car.
What lane is it in?
When you hear a crash report on the news, you will hear which lane it occurred in. The left lane is always “lane number 1.” The lane to the right is “number 2” and the numbers keep ascending as you move further right.
If you know of a crash along your route, make sure you plan to stay as far away from it as possible by taking note of the lane or taking another route. If you must drive past a collision, do not stop or slow down drastically next to it. You should drive carefully because there might be people on the road. If there is law enforcement at the scene, follow any instructions they give you about going around it.
Any time you are in a crash, make sure you report it. At the very least, record the date, time and location of the accident. Additionally, be ready to talk to law enforcement, and share your ID, vehicle registration information and insurance policy to ensure the incident is properly documented to fulfill insurance requirements.