Steps to Take After a Car Accident with the Kids

Steps to Take After a Car Accident with the Kids

With the winter season upon us, it is more important than ever to know the steps you should take if you are involved in an accident. If, heaven forbid, you’re children are in the car with you, there are even more things to take into consideration and that need to be done. Follow these steps if you and your children are involved in a car accident. After you have called emergency services:

1. Check For Injuries

If you are uninjured or have sustained only minor injuries and it is safe for you to do so, check on the status of your children. While it is absolutely normal to panic at the sight of injury, remember that, if your children are injured, it may be dangerous to move them. In the event of major injury, leave your children strapped into their car or booster seats until medical help arrives.

Photo credit:  Car accident by daveynin/flickr

2. Stay Calm

Panic and anxiety are natural reactions to a car accident. If necessary, take a moment, breathe and calm yourself down. The calmer you are, the calmer your children will be. Reassure them that everything is okay and, most importantly, that you are okay. The sounds, sights and even smells associated with a car accident can be frightening. Keep your children as calm as you can.

3. Gather Information

If it is safe to do so, check on the status of the occupants of the other vehicle. If everyone is okay, now is the time to exchange information. Be sure to gather names, phone numbers and insurance information from the driver and any witnesses to the accident.

4. Take Pictures

If you don’t have a camera available, that’s okay. Take a few pictures with your cell phone and document any damage that was sustained in the accident. If your children are injured, take photographs of their injuries if they will sit still enough. The pictures will be valuable when you go to file your insurance claim.

5. Contact Your Insurance Agent

After reports have been taken, medical attention has been given and you are released from the scene, contact your insurance agent; doing so while the facts of the accident are fresh in your mind will ensure that you don’t miss any important details.

6. Replace Car Seats

Many people forget to do this until they need to leave the house and can’t because they don’t have a car seat. If the seat has been damaged in any way, replace it! If your children are old enough to use booster seats and they have been damaged, replace them! Damages seats will not protect your children as they were designed to. If you are unsure if they need to be replaced, contact the seat’s manufacturer. They will be happy to tell you if they are damaged enough to warrant replacement.

Photo credit: Ready To Go! by Joe Schlabotnik/flickr

There is no doubt that car accidents are not only stressful but downright scary. By following these steps, you’ll not only reduce the stress for yourself but for your children as well.

Author Stephen Anderson is an insurance consultant who strongly suggests that you search online for Car Insurance Compare quotes to get the best price possible. Cheap Texas Car Insurance Quotes are one example of the comparisons available.