The aftermath of any accident is frightening, but those that happen on the freeway are especially terrifying. Vehicles are zooming past at very high speeds, larger vehicles such as commercial trucks are on the road, and like after any crash, you may not know what to do. The most important thing to do after any freeway auto accident is to remain calm. Although this is a very scary situation, by taking the right steps immediately afterwards, you can stay safe and get the help you need.
Pull Over
You may be tempted to slam on your brakes and stop your vehicle, but this should never be done on the freeway. If you suddenly stop your car, there is a very good chance that the drivers behind you will not be able to stop in time and that they will hit you.
Instead, start to slowly pull over at the first sign of trouble. You do not want your vehicle to stall on the freeway, either. Put on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that there is something wrong, check your mirrors to see if there are vehicles behind you, and slowly take your foot off the gas pedal. Start pulling over to the nearest shoulder, while driving carefully but also as quickly as possible.
Exit Your Vehicle Very Carefully
Exiting a vehicle after an accident always has the potential to be difficult, but it is especially dangerous when you are on the freeway. You are likely going to be fairly close to a lane of traffic, in which vehicles are reaching speeds between 60 and 70 miles per hour. Stepping out into this traffic is deadly.
If you must, exit your vehicle from the side that is the furthest away from a lane of traffic. This may be necessary if the structure of the vehicle is so damaged it poses a danger to you, or if part of the vehicle is on fire. However, only exit your vehicle if you must. If you get out of your vehicle, you have no protection from the fast-moving traffic around you.
Do Not Raise The Hood
Sometimes, it is a natural reaction for people to get out of their vehicle, raise their hood, and try to identify the problem when they have car trouble. Although this is usually a safe thing to do when you are stalled in a parking lot or your car will not start in your driveway, you should never do this on the freeway. Again, remaining in your vehicle is the safest thing you can do. If you must get out of your vehicle, get as far away from your vehicle and traffic as possible and find a safe place to stay until help arrives.
Stay At The Scene
Do not call a friend or family member to come and get you. While it is natural to be scared and want to get to a place of safety, you have a legal obligation to remain at the scene. If you leave the scene of an accident, you will face serious penalties for a possible hit-and-run and failing to comply with the law.
Report The Accident
If you can, call the police right away to report the car accident. This is also your legal obligation under the law. If you do not have a way to contact law enforcement and someone approaches your vehicle offering help, remain in your vehicle if possible and ask them to call for you.
Exchange Information
If there are other drivers involved in the crash, you must exchange information with them. This includes your name, phone number, insurance information, and driver’s license information. Without this information, it will be much more difficult to file a claim for damages, so do not leave the scene without it.
Collect Evidence, If Possible
Collecting evidence is also harder after a crash on the freeway. You cannot move into the roadway to take pictures of important evidence, as some of it may get lost or destroyed as vehicles go rushing past. Safely take pictures of important evidence if possible, such as damage to the vehicles, your injuries, and other relevant information.
Call A Car Accident Lawyer In Atlanta
The legal aftermath of any car accident is complex, but this holds particularly true for freeway collisions. If you have been injured, our Atlanta car accident lawyer at MG Law will handle every detail of your claim to help you recover the full compensation you deserve. Call us today at 404-982-4219 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to obtain the sound legal advice you need.
Michael Geoffroy’s law practice focuses on auto collisions, premises liability, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury, and he stands up for the cause of justice throughout Georgia and on behalf of his clients every day. He is a leader in both the courtroom and the community, having been recognized numerous times for his involvement in each.