As reported by Statista, around 9.1 million vehicles were involved in crashes in the U.S. in 2020. Getting involved in a car accident can be a stressful and confusing experience, especially when it involves a company car. However, there are certain steps that you must take to protect your rights and ensure that you can receive proper compensation for any damages or injuries.
This article will discuss the things you must do after getting involved in an accident with a company car, including contacting your employer, contacting the police, and seeking medical attention, as well as what to do if the accident was the fault of the other driver.
Call the Police to Report the Accident
To protect yourself, you should call the police to report the accident. The police will come to the scene of the accident and take down all relevant information regarding the incident. This can help you later if you need to prove that an accident happened or if someone else tries to claim that it didn’t happen.
If there is any doubt about who was at fault for the accident, it’s a good idea to call the police anyway so they can issue a ticket. You should always call them even if you’re sure who was at fault because sometimes people will later change their minds about what happened.
Call 911 for Medical Support
If you are injured in an accident with a company car, you should immediately call 911 for medical support. If the accident is minor, you may be able to wait until you get home to seek medical help. However, if the accident is severe or if there are any injuries involved, you should not hesitate to call 911.
According to Vera Research, 911 dispatchers receive 240 million calls every year. Many of these calls come from victims of car crashes and accidents. Thus, if you’re involved in such a scenario, don’t hesitate to reach out to the emergency services through 911.
Get in Touch with Your Employer
After getting involved in an accident with a company car, you should contact your employer immediately. This is a good idea whether or not the accident was your fault.
Your employer will want to know about the accident so that they can make decisions about how to handle the vehicle and any associated costs. They may also want to discuss other details of the incident, such as whether any employees were involved in it or if there are any injuries involved.
Contact a Lawyer
If you’ve been in an accident with a company car and have suffered any injuries, you need to get in touch with a lawyer immediately. The insurance company for the other driver will be contacting them, so you’ll want to be prepared when they do.
A local lawyer will be ideal for this since laws vary from state to state, and a local lawyer will be more aware of your state laws.
For instance, in New York, you have around three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, in Missouri, according to state laws, you have five years to do the same.
Thus, if your accident took place in St. Louis, you should hire a St. Louis auto accident lawyer to handle your case for you since they’re more aware of the local laws and how they tend to work.
Take Pictures of the Accident
When you get into an accident with a company car, it’s important to document the damage. This can help you later if you need to prove that the accident was not your fault.
You should take pictures of the scene before anyone leaves the area and also take pictures of your car and the other person’s car after they’ve been moved out of the way.
Exchange Contact Information with the Other Driver Involved (If Applicable)
After an accident, exchange contact information with the other driver involved. This is crucial to ensuring that you can provide them with the necessary documentation and proof of insurance.
It is important to have contact information in case you need to follow up on the details of the accident or if you receive a ticket or other correspondence from the police department or insurance company.
In conclusion, being involved in an accident with a company car can be a complex and stressful situation. However, by following the proper steps and taking the right actions, you can protect your rights and ensure that you receive proper compensation for any damages or injuries.
Keep in mind that time is of the essence, so it’s important to act quickly to preserve evidence and protect your rights. It is also advisable to consult with a car accident attorney to help you navigate through the legal process and maximize your compensation.