If your teenager is about to start driving on their own, you've probably taken all of the necessary precautions to make sure they're prepared for the responsibility. They've enrolled in driver's education and you've made sure that they've spent the necessary time with behind-the-wheel training. You might have even enrolled them in a defensive driver's course. However, have you made sure that they know what to do if they are ever in a car accident? No one ever wants to think about their child being involved in a car accident, but, if it happens, you want to make sure that they know what to do. Here are three things your teenager should do after a car accident.
Pull to Safety if Possible
After an accident, the initial shock may cause your teen to simply stop their car in the middle of the street. If the accident was severe, and their car has been disabled, they won't have a choice but to stay where the car stopped. However, if their car is still driveable, your teen should be advised to drive their car to the side of the road. This will allow emergency vehicles to get through to the accident scene. Moving to the side of the road will also allow your teen to safely exit from the car.
Remain at the Scene
If there isn't significant body damage, and no one is injured, your teen might be tempted to leave the scene of the accident. Unfortunately, that decision could come back to haunt them later. Your teen should remain at the scene until law enforcement officials arrive. Once your teen has given their statement to police, they should ask for an incident number before leaving. The incident number will make it easier for you to obtain a copy of the police report, which you'll need when filing an insurance claim, or when you speak to an attorney.
Avoid Admitting Fault
If your teen is involved in a car accident, they should never admit fault – even if they think they caused the accident. The on-scene police officer will conduct an investigation and issue a report. That report will determine who was at-fault and what caused the accident. When speaking to the other driver, your teen should only exchange information related to identification and insurance including:
- Name
- Insurance information
- Driver's License number
Now that your teen is going to be driving, they need to know what to do in the event of an accident. The information provided here will help them prepare. If your teen was involved in a car accident, click this link to learn more about what your next steps should be.
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