Thousand of people are involved in car accidents every year in the United States. The causes can range from driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, to a slick and wet road surface. At Pomerantz, Perlberger and Lewis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we know the ins and outs of dealing with car accidents.

No matter what the cause or where the accident occurs, there are some standard steps that you should take if you are ever involved in a car accident. It is important to be sure you take the right precautions whether you were at fault or not.

What You Should Do

Above all, try to remain calm. An accident is very stressful and instantly gets your adrenalin pumping at high levels. But, it is important to keep your wits about you and be sure the proper steps are taken to record all information and be sure any injured parties receive help.

Keep Everyone Safe

Drivers involved in minor accidents should move the accident from the middle of the roadway. Often, accidents and injuries are further complicated because an oncoming vehicle had no warning that there was an accident blocking the road. If possible, warn oncoming traffic with cones, warning triangles or flares and hazard lights flashing.

Contact emergency personnel including police and ambulances if necessary. If someone cannot be moved, be sure they remain seated, still and securely belted into their seat until help arrives.

Gather Information

In many states, if there are no injuries and there is less than $500 of property damage to each vehicle, the police do not need to be called. In this case, be sure to collect all relevant information from the other driver:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Driver's license number
• License plate number
• Insurance company and policy number
• Description of the other vehicle

If one of the vehicles involved was a commercial truck, you should also note:

• Style of the truck
• Light, medium, or heavy truck
• Body style, whether a cement mixer, crane, dump truck
• Type and number of trailers: box, tanker, flatbed, lowboy, car hauler, etc.
• Company names and logos on the cab and/or trailer(s)
• Presence, absence, and condition of safety equipment such as lights, reflectors, underride guards

If possible, document the accident with photos. Record details of the scene of the accident including time of day, weather and road conditions, where vehicles were located, identifying street signs or landmarks and information from any witnesses.

File a Report

If an officer has responded to the accident, chances are an accident report will be filed with the proper authorities. If there is no responding officer, a state vehicle accident report must still be filed. These reports can be picked up at most police stations and DMV offices. In some states, you may be able to download a copy from the Department of Motor Vehicles in your area. Accident reports not only make a public record of the details of the accident, but can also speed up the claims process when dealing with insurance companies.

To learn more about what you should do after a car accident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, please contact car accident attorneys at Pomerantz, Perlberger & Lewis, LLP today.