7 Things New Homeowners Should Do Right After a Car Accident During Their Move
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Moving to a new house is an exciting yet hectic milestone, but professional services, checklists, and effective time management can help reduce your stress and make for a smoother transition. There's another consideration many new homeowners overlook: the possibility of getting into a car accident on the way to a new home.
Of course, safety is key. Ensure your car is ready for the road with a safety checklist that includes oil changes, engine checks, headlight checks, tire air pressure, and more. When packing your car for the road, you don't want to obstruct visibility, making moving trucks necessary.
Despite taking all safety precautions, accidents can still happen. That's why you need to add additional post-accident steps to your moving checklist, like accident documentation, insurance guidelines, and legal help.
Keep the following guide handy as you plan your move.
1. Follow Immediate Post-Accident Safety Tips
As soon as you're involved in an accident, pull off the road and stop in a safe, well-lit location.
Turn on your hazard lights and assess yourself (and your passengers) for injuries. Check for other hazards, like fuel leaks, and call 911 immediately. Always keep a list of emergency numbers in your car, including 911, urgent care, ERs, emergency contacts, and a trusted car accident lawyer.
2. Document Accident Injuries
Document all injuries sustained by yourself and passengers. You can use a smartphone to take clear photos and videos. If you don't have a smartphone, take this time to purchase one or keep a digital camera in your car with batteries. You should also keep a working flashlight in your car.
Make sure to save your photo and video evidence. Save to your phone's hard drive and a cloud-based file manager like Dropbox or Google Drive. You can even email the evidence to yourself.
Of course, you're documenting external injuries. You're going to want to visit an urgent care clinic, ER, or car accident doctor as soon as possible to document any possible internal injuries, whiplash, or concussions.
3. Document the Scene
After capturing any injuries, use your smartphone to document the accident scene in detail. Take photo and video evidence of the following:
Road conditions
Time of day
Lighting conditions
Skid marks
Road signs
Accident debris
Property damage (car, belongings, etc.)
Position of the vehicles
License plates
Document from multiple angles. It also helps to have a dash cam in these instances; you can purchase one before moving day.
4. Exchange Information
Next, exchange necessary information with other drivers (and parties) involved in the accident. Don't admit fault or even discuss fault. Only exchange the following:
Contact information
Insurance policy information
Names
Driver's license numbers
Gather contact information from eyewitnesses, as well. A car accident lawyer can also assist with getting statements from accident witnesses.
5. Calling the Police
Don't hesitate to call the police to the scene. You'll need a police report for your own records, insurance claims, and legal representation. It's a part of the documentation process, but don't admit or discuss fault.
6. Notify Professionals About Moving Delays
If you're working with professional movers, notify them about the accident and possible delays in the timetable. You may have to rent a storage unit and ask the team to move your belongings there.
Likewise, notify any other professional services of delays, like home inspectors, real estate agents, or other service contracts you may be actively working with at the time. Furniture deliveries, landscaping appointments, locksmith services, and exterior paint jobs may have to be postponed.
Contact your auto insurance company about property damage claims. Extensive documentation will also be helpful here. Talk to your lawyer ASAP, as well.
7. Arrange for Temporary Stays
If you're driving a long distance, you may have to book a temporary stay at a hotel, motel, or Airbnb. Depending on the severity of the accident, injuries, and car damage, you may need a few days or more. You could also stay with friends and family if they're located nearby.
Plan for a Safe Move
Take every precaution possible for a safe move, including a checklist of necessary steps, should an accident arise.
Immediately assess the scene for injuries and document everything, from every bruise to every car scratch. Contact the right parties as quickly as possible, including 911, lawyers, insurance companies, clinics, family, and moving-related services.
Being prepared will help you get back on track toward a new chapter in a new home.