What to Do After Getting in an Accident on the Highway

The United States has a vast network of highways that help drivers travel longer distances. On these highways, drivers can more efficiently travel within their state or even to other states. Highways are different from local roads in many ways. For example, the posted speed limit is often much higher on the highway. Due to these higher speeds, accidents on a highway can be worse than those on a local road with lower speed limits.

Due to the increased speed limit on the highway, an accident that takes place on a highway can cause serious damage to other drivers and vehicles that are involved. It’s important to understand the key differences that make highway accidents more dangerous, and what to do in the aftermath of one. Keep reading today’s blog to learn more about what to do after getting in an accident on the highway.

Check Everyone for Injuries

As with all accidents, the number one priority is to check on the condition of every driver and passenger involved. Once you’ve completed a quick check on yourself and any passengers in your car, you can move on to the other vehicles involved and check on all parties for injuries. If anyone is in critical need of immediate medical assistance, call 911 right away to get an ambulance on the way. Remember that just because you don’t have any immediate injuries doesn’t mean there aren’t any that could pop up later – check out our blog on invisible injuries here.

Move to Safety

Once you’ve confirmed that everyone is alright, the next step is to get all people and vehicles to safety, ideally without blocking traffic. One of the most difficult aspects of an accident that takes place on a highway is that it can be much harder to move your vehicle to safety. Cars are traveling at much higher speeds, making it dangerous and challenging to get to safety. If your vehicle is still driveable, try to move to the shoulder of the highway out of the way of traffic. If you must get out on foot, always watch for oncoming traffic and never try to cross highway lanes on foot.

Call the Police

After you’ve made sure that everyone is safe and out of harm’s way, you’ll want to call 911 and have the police come out to the scene of the accident. This is a crucial step in the process that will help you get the settlement you deserve down the line. Once the police arrive, tell them your side of the story and request a copy of the police report for your records. In the meantime, take some pictures and videos of the accident scene. These can be used to further prove your case.

Fight the Insurance Companies

After getting in an accident, your insurance company will likely try to pressure you into accepting their first settlement offer. This number is often on the lower side, and they’re banking on you wanting to move past the accident and accepting. However, doing this is leaving money on the table that you deserve! Getting in an accident can have a significant negative impact on your life. You deserve proper compensation to match the severity of your accident and not a penny less.

So how do you go about fighting the insurance companies? If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident, call 1-800-411-PAIN. If you’ve been involved in an accident, the guidance from a personal injury attorney could help navigate the aftermath. It is helpful to have legal and medical experts on your side. The experts at 1-800-411-PAIN can help explain your options, fight for the compensation you deserve, and guide you through a swift recovery.

If you or a loved person has been injured in an accident, call 1-800-411-PAIN today. Our legal professionals can help you navigate the tricky process of filing an insurance claim. Our medical professionals are here to provide you with the treatment you need. Remember, after 911, call 411.