Once the police and the paramedics arrive, there are several things you can do to help facilitate their jobs.
Don’t Argue
If the paramedics want to check you out, don’t waste your time – and theirs – by arguing. They aren’t trying to make you late or make you look weak. They are genuinely concerned about your well being – that’s why they’re there. Let them check you over as they please since, as mentioned earlier, you might have injuries you’re not even aware of yet.
Talk to the Cop
The police officer is there to help you, even if he determines that you were the one at fault. Stay calm and tell your story of the events with as much detail as possible; once you’ve done that, it’s his job to make a decision. Remember, if you don’t like his decision, you are free to contest it at court. Acting belligerent to the cop will not help you.
Don’t Hesitate to Speak Up or Ask Questions
It’s natural to have questions or to remember the events of a stressful situation out of order. If you don’t understand something and need clarification, or if you want to add a detail to your story, don’t be afraid to speak up. As time passes, the memories will lose their clarity and authenticity, so be sure to add as much detail as possible while the incident is fresh in your mind.
Get All Police Contact and Case Number Information
As time passes and the adrenaline rush subsides, you will begin to think more clearly. Even though the memories aren’t as fresh as they were immediately after the incident, you may remember important details that hadn’t made an impression on you at first. Remember, you’ve just come out of an instinctive “fight or flight” state, where your brain and body filtered out everything but what was deemed most important to your survival.
Safety Issues to Remember
Of course, the best way to deal with an accident is to try to avoid it entirely. You can do this by being alert on the road, minding the rules, and understanding what being a defensive driver is all about.