Car accidents happen every single day. There are many people that are hurt in car accidents, which is why the courts are full of cases against insurance companies and individuals for car accidents. In order to protect yourself, it is important to know what to do in a car accident, so as to avoid a lawsuit. Here are a couple things you should do.

1. Stay At The Scene

No matter how much of a hurry you are in, you need to stay at the scene. You need to discuss the situation with the other party and exchange insurance information and phone numbers. You might think that just because it was a small accident and no one was hurt that you can just walk away, but that is simply not the case. There could be problems later, and you could be responsible for a hit and run unless you take care of it right then.

2. Call The Police

Even if the damage was small, you should still call the police. The important thing about having the police there is that they can put everything on record. Having a police record may be the thing that saves you if the other party chooses to sue. The police record will clear up any misconceptions that there might be so that the responsible party is held accountable. If you don't have a police record, it could easily become a he said, she said fight. You don't want this to happen if the accident goes to court.

3. Take Pictures

Another way to prove damage and the cause of the accident is to take pictures. Having pictures will show the courts, if a suit were to be filed, exactly what damage was done to each car, the injuries of the person, and where the accident took place. The more documentation you have of the accident, the better.

4. Don't Admit Fault

Although you may be tempted to take responsibility for the accident, you should never admit fault outright. For instance, you shouldn't explain that you were on the phone, paying attention to children, not feeling well or any other excuse. Even if you did cause the accident, you shouldn't say it. You can offer to help pay for the other person's car or damage, as a good will gesture, but you shouldn't outright tell them anything that implies guilt.

By doing these things, you can protect yourself if you are in a car accident. Contact a legal office like Wolter, Beeman & Lynch to learn more about car accident lawsuits.