It is normal to have a bunch of questions after being involved in a car accident. You might be wondering what you should and should not do in the moments immediately following the crash. Should you call the police? Should you move your car after an accident? Should you seek immediate medical attention? Today, we dive into whether you should move your car after a car accident.
Times When You Should Move Your Car After a Collision
There are situations where you should move your car after being involved in an accident. If your vehicle is blocking traffic, you would want to move it to a safe place. Take pictures beforehand to ensure that if needed it is clear to determine who was at fault in the accident. You will want to show the positions of the cars on the road. While these photographs could help you build a case later, it is imperative that you put your safety before all else. If this move might put you in danger, it is best not to do so. If the car is totaled, you should avoid moving it. Also, if the car is leaking gas, giving off fumes, or smoke, you should leave it alone and move away from it immediately.
Safe areas to move your car include a parking lot, freeway shoulder, or rest stop. Leaving your car in a lane could cause a pileup accident. However, if this is your only choice due to safety concerns, it is best to take this option.
When You Should Not Move Your Car After an Accident
There are some situations where you should not move your car after an accident. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Vehicle has been totaled
- Someone is injured and moving the car would cause him/her pain and additional injuries
- Conditions on the road are not safe
- Too much debris on the road to safely move the car
- Vehicle has caught fire
- You are too injured to drive
The police do need to reconstruct a car accident to determine who was at fault, which can prove difficult if the cars were moved.
So, ultimately, the answer to our blog topic really depends on your situation. If you must move your car to protect yourself, then it would make sense to do so, after taking photographs, if possible. And, if there is no pressing reason to move your car, then it is safe to leave your car as-is to help the police determine fault.
What to Do After a Car Crash
You will want to seek immediate medical attention after a crash if you are severely injured. Call 911 if anyone has been hurt. Before moving any cars, take pictures of the scene, but only if it is safe to do so. You will want to take pictures of the cars' positions, any damages to the cars, debris from the crash, and any injuries sustained.
You will want to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer before answering any questions from the police or speaking to an insurance company. Discuss your legal options after a car accident by contacting our firm online or calling us at (801) 901-7046.
