We all know how to prepare for an accident. We invest in car insurance in Charlotte, NC. We keep our cars maintained. We are alert when driving. But did you know that many people are injured after an accident occurs? Fatal mistakes are made every day after people exit their vehicles after an accident. Follow these steps after an accident to protect yourself:

• Call 911. Even if your collision is minor, you should always call 911. The dispatcher will be able to send help from the nearest station immediately.
• Get off the phone. After you call 911, get off the phone. Being distracted at this time can prove to be fatal.
• Move out of traffic. Many people are stunned after an accident, and get out of their cars and just stand beside them while on the phone. But you need to move off the road, and get as far away from traffic as possible. It’s so easy for another driver to get distracted and accidentally hit and injure you.
• Exchange information. Once you’re out of the way of oncoming traffic, talk to any other drivers involved and exchange information. If you want to take pictures, do so, but from a safe distance.
• Do not move vehicles. After serious accidents, leave your vehicle where it is. This is usually the only way authorities can investigate to find out what really happened.
• Leave everything where it is. If parts of your car flew across the highway, leave them where they are. This will not only help with the investigation, as the step above will do, but it will protect you from traffic that may still be passing by.

The most important thing to do after an accident is to get off the road. Move as far off to the side as you can to avoid being injured. Once you know that everyone is okay and you’re safe, you can file a Charlotte NC car insurance claim to get your car repaired or replaced as quickly as possible.

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