5 Important Steps to Take After a Car Accident

There are roughly 6 million car accidents in the U.S. each year. Additionally, there are four main causes of auto body damage, including weather, negligence, fender benders, and high-speed collisions. No matter what kind of auto accident you're involved in, it's important to know the various steps to take immediately after the collision.


Here are the essential steps that every vehicle owner needs to make following a car accident:

• Put your car in park -- Even if the collision caused your vehicle to completely stop, you should make sure that your car is parked so no other damage can be caused. If possible, try and park your car in a spot that won't obstruct the flow of traffic.


• Call 911 -- As soon as the car is stopped, no matter how much damage has been suffered, you should dial 911. You need to be cleared by medical professionals before you perform any other necessary steps. If you've been in a serious crash, make sure you remain completely still until medics can assist you and can tend to any potential injuries.


• Gather important information -- Hopefully, you haven't been seriously injured and you'll be coherent enough to start getting essential information that you'll likely need down the line. Take down the other driver's information, including name, address, vehicle type, plate number, driver's license, insurance information, and registration. Also, start gathering witness information so you can use them later during a potential lawsuit.


• See your doctor -- Again, even if the accident wasn't that bad, you should still visit your doctor and make sure that you're healthy and nothing is wrong. Auto accidents can often result in serious internal injuries -- so it's important to have a doctor take a look.


• Visit auto body repair services -- In order to get your car back on the road and looking better than ever, it's important to head to a professional repair shop. Make sure that you're working with experienced repair services so you're getting your money's worth.

If you have recently been involved in a bad car accident, make sure you take all the necessary steps and then work with trusted collision repair services. Give River North Collision Repair right away if you're planning on getting a car fixed.