By Violette Bishai.

As summer winds down and preparations for a new school year begin, keep in mind that the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer are still upon us.  The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer officially start the day after Memorial Day.  According the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of 1,022 people died in crashes involving teens during each of the last five years. That’s over 10 people per day. Though it is smart to take the necessary precautions and drive defensively, accidents do happen. If you are involved in a crash, knowing what to do in those critical moments following the incident are important to the safety of everyone involved.

Move to a safe area

Take a moment to breathe and process what happened. Make sure your car is no longer moving before you turn the engine off. Move your vehicle to the shoulder of the road if you can. If it’s not possible to move, immediately turn your hazard lights on.

Check on others involved

Check on all the other parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, to make sure no one is hurt. Call 911 if anyone may be injured. Even a seemingly minor symptom like dizziness should be checked out by a health care professional.

Call the police to the scene

A police accident report can prove invaluable when dealing with any claims.

Gather info

Try to write down as much info as possible in the accident aftermath, including:

Driver and passenger names
License plate numbers
Insurance information and contact numbers
Makes and models of all vehicles involved
Contact info for any eyewitnesses
Location of the accident
The name and badge number of any responding police officers
If you have a smartphone with a camera, snap some photos of the accident scene. They’ll come in handy during the claim process.

File the necessary claims

Consult with the necessary professionals
If you are injured in a crash consult with a medical professional and a personal injury attorney. It is important to understand the rights you have.
Filed a lawsuit? Concerned about financial stability while you’re waiting for your case to settle?
There are companies that can help by offering financial assistance during times of need. Confirm with your attorney if legal funding is the best option for your case.