A car crash is a very jarring experience that can leave people shaken up and unsure of what to do. Once a driver checks themselves for injuries, they may not know what to do next. It is quite common for people to have intense emotional reactions and behave in someone irrational ways after a traumatic experience, like a motor vehicle collision.
Thankfully, you don’t have to handle the situation alone. State law helps establish certain standards for what people should do after a collision with another vehicle, and the right steps will involve outside professionals. There are two steps that you should take if you experience a crash in Kentucky.
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Move your vehicles
Many collisions occur at intersections, and others might take place on freeways. In both cases, the presence of the damaged vehicles on the road will inevitably cause traffic issues. They will slow traffic and potentially cause secondary collisions.
State law does require that those involved in a wreck move their vehicles whenever possible to allow other vehicles to safely proceed around them. Before moving your vehicle, it is often a smart decision to take a minute or to use your camera to take photos and video of the crash scene. The focus should be on the overall placement of the vehicles, which will change, not the damage to the vehicles, which will remain the same.
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Call to file a police report
Most people will wait at the scene of a crash for a police officer to come out and gather information. State law requires that people report collisions that result in bodily injury or $500 worth of property damage or more. Even if the other driver agrees to cover your costs themselves, you should notify authorities to remain in compliance with the law and protect your right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit later.
Drivers who understand what state law requires them to do after a crash will be less likely to make technical mistakes that affect their rights later. They may have an easier time getting proper insurance coverage or bringing a civil lawsuit against a driver who causes catastrophic injuries. Planning ahead for the unlikely event of a motor vehicle collision will help you act appropriately if you ever experience one.