After an accident, your first instinct may be to get out of your vehicle and survey the damage. Don’t do it. It is a natural reaction, but it’ also a good way to get yourself killed. Getting out of your car puts you at very high risk of getting hit by another vehicle. Other drivers are far more likely to see your wrecked vehicle than to see you. And if you do get hit, you’re better off getting hit inside the car than as a pedestrian.
What to Do
It may feel all wrong, but the safest thing to do after an accident is stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on. If at all possible, get your car out of the flow of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and call 911. Do your best to tell the dispatcher exactly where you are, so that first responders can get there quickly. Let them know if you need an ambulance. When help arrives, they will be equipped to handle the other traffic so that you can get out safely.
If you have children in the car, they need to stay buckled in too.
Never Get Out of Your Car on a Roadway
After an accident, the conditions that led to your accident could also cause other drivers to crash. But staying in your car also applies if you have a breakdown. Freeways are the most dangerous, but the danger remains on slower and less heavily-travelled roads.
If you have been injured in a car accident, in your vehicle or as a pedestrian after-the-fact, please, contact an experienced attorney like Mark Panzavecchia right away to learn more about your rights.