In the moments directly after a car accident, you might feel unsure of how to proceed. Here are a few key steps you should take in the coming hours to protect yourself and your passengers.

Steps to Take Right After an Accident

When a driver takes his or her eyes off the street for even a fraction of a second, it is enough time for an accident to occur. Regardless of how you or your passengers feel, you need to take a deep breath and ensure that you know what to do as soon as possible. The first steps you should take include calling the authorities, your insurer and an attorney.

Assess the Situation

In the moments immediately after an accident, you must assess the situation. If there is significant damage to your vehicle and at least one injured person on the scene, call 911. The police officers who arrive will document the scene, talk to witnesses, determine what happened and make an accident report. You and the responsible driver will both receive a copy of the report. The police can also call for an ambulance to transport any injured parties to the hospital and arrange for a tow truck to remove disabled vehicles.

Make Important Phone Calls

After leaving the scene of the auto accident, you will need to call your insurer. Give the insurer the insurance information of the responsible driver when filing your claim. You will then want to call an accident lawyer in Las Vegas. Explain what happened to the attorney, the injuries each person sustained and the amount of damage done to your vehicle. If the driver’s insurer does not cover the total amount you need, the attorney can contact that insurer to work out a larger settlement or explain that you will move forward and file a lawsuit against the responsible driver.

Auto Accidents Equal High Bills

Auto accidents often equate to high bills later, including repairs required for your vehicle and medical bills. You may even have a hard time covering your other bills because you cannot work. As soon as the auto accident occurs, contact the police, your insurer and an attorney in your area.