U-turns look easy on the road, but they are not, because you have to watch every lane, every car coming, and sometimes people do illegal turns or just don’t see you, and then chaos starts, and knowing what to do right after is super important.
Even if the accident looks small, every second counts. So right after a U-turn accident, you have to stay sharp and move step by step to keep yourself safe and protect your rights.
These are the essential steps you should take after a U-turn accident;
Make Sure Everyone Is Safe First
The very first thing is to check yourself and everyone else in the car, because even if nothing hurts, your body can trick you.
Look at your passengers, check their heads, arms, and legs, because sometimes you only notice pain after a few hours. Move the car out of traffic if it’s drivable, turn on hazard lights, and make a mental note of any dangers around, like fire, leaking gas, or broken glass.
If anyone is hurt badly, don’t move them unless they’re in immediate danger, because moving them incorrectly can make injuries worse.
Get 911 on the Phone Immediately
Calling 911 is necessary because the police and paramedics will create an official record. Later on, you can get the police report and use it as evidence should you need to.
When you talk to the operator, you have to tell them exactly where you are. Look around to see if there are any street names around you that would help them find you faster.
They also need to know how many people are in your car, what type of crash happened, and how badly injured they are. This would help them come well-prepared.
Document the Accident Scene Properly
If you weren’t knocked down, get up and begin your documentation immediately. Get pictures of everything that you can see. Cover the U-turn location itself, the road surface, and any nearby traffic signs or obstacles that might have blocked a view.
Even the debris and skid marks on the road should make it into your gallery. And if there’s anything else that could explain why the crash happened, make sure you add that too.
Write down the time, date, weather, and the direction cars were going, because later people might argue about these details.
If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers right there.
Get Info from the Other Driver
Exchange names, phone numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details. Don’t argue or admit fault, because what you say at the scene can be used against you later.
Saying sorry is one of the things you shouldn’t do after a road accident. Keep your voice steady, even if your heart is beating fast and your hands feel shaky. Try to write everything down while it is still fresh in your mind, because later things can get blurry and harder to remember.
And do not sign anything or agree to anything, until a lawyer looks at it first.
Get Medical and Legal Help
There are two very important people you have to get in touch with when you leave the accident scene: your doctor and your lawyer.
- Your doctor because you have to rule out the possibility of internal injuries. If there are external injuries, you would need them to give you a proper medical record for them.
- Your lawyer, because every single loss and damage you suffered in the accident needs to be accounted for. And there’s no better person to help you get this compensation than a competent lawyer.
Key Takeaways
- Safety is the first thing you should take care of, so check yourself and other passengers as soon as possible.
- Call 911 so the police can come over to the scene.
- Call 911 and the police to create an official report and get emergency help.
If you’re physically capable, begin your documentation right away. - Your records should include photos, videos, notes, and witness information.
- Talk to the other driver solely for exchanging contact info.
- Do not incriminate yourself; if possible, only talk when you have your lawyer with you.
