In San Diego, if you ever face a car accident, it is always advised to take immediate steps, including informing the local administrative or police and the insurance company to file the claim. However, such accidents usually leave the drivers uncertain and disoriented, and the most common dilemma they face is whether to move the vehicle right after the collision. So, this guide is all about considering the factors that will help you to decide to relocate your car after an accident.
After a car accident, there are a number of things you need to do. However, if someone has been killed or gravely injured in the collision, you should not move the car. If your car is obstructing traffic and the collision has merely resulted in property damage, you should take it off the road if you can do so safely.
After a car accident, you should attempt to gather yourself and prepare to handle the situation calmly and professionally. First, determine whether and to what extent you are injured. If at all possible, check on passengers and other people, and assess if an ambulance is required.
In order to prevent more accidents and improve traffic flow, it is generally advised to move your automobile from the scene of the accident to a safe area, such as the side of the road or a parking lot, provided it is safe to do so and there are no significant injuries or risks.
- Safety First
After an accident, your primary concern should be maintaining safety for both parties. If you have been involved in a collision in a high-traffic area, you must remove the vehicle from the accident site. Otherwise, the vehicle will cause an additional hazard by blocking the roadway. This can also lead to further experience, so it is advised to move the car to the side of the road or to any designated safe area that will be feasible. Making sure everyone is safe and contacting emergency services should be your top priorities if there are significant injuries or a fire hazard. To lower the chance of more accidents and to free up traffic, relocate the cars off the main road or into a parking lot if they are driveable and the area is safe.
- Legal Considerations
You must consider your jurisdiction, as the law of moving the vehicle after an accident tends to vary. In certain places, you might have to remove the vehicle from the traffic after an accident so that no other serious injuries or fatalities occur. In other jurisdictions, moving the car is mandatory so that there is a proper traffic flow, which reduces the chances of secondary collision. According to the lawyers associated with https://hhjtrialattorneys.com/san-diego-car-accident-lawyers/, moving the vehicle will not affect the police investigation. To assist with the police investigation and insurance claim, take pictures of the site and the damage to both automobiles before moving them.
- When Should You Move Your Vehicle?
If the vehicle does not sustain severe damage or injury, you are advised to relocate it to a safe area, which would prevent unwanted collisions and reduce the likelihood of further accidents.
If the accident vehicle is hazardous for motorcycles or the accident has occurred on a highway or at a blind curve, then you should remove it immediately to maintain the safety of others.
- When Should You Not Move Your Vehicle?
You should not remove the car under the following circumstances:
- If the accident is quite severe and involves serious injuries or even death, then you must not remove the vehicle, as the accident scene needs to be preserved for further investigation and to prove the liability.
- If you find that the vehicle is highly damaged and try to move it, it can cause injury, or there is no practical requirement to remove it.
- If there is any involvement in criminal activities, such as impaired driving, you must not remove the vehicle, as the scene must be preserved for further investigation.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Serious Injuries:
If anyone involved, including yourself, has sustained serious injuries that make moving difficult or impossible, prioritize safety and wait for medical help to arrive.
Risk of Fire:
If there’s a fuel leak or any indication of a fire hazard, stay put and wait for emergency services.
Police Investigation:
If the accident is severe, allow the police to investigate the scene and gather evidence before moving the vehicles, as moving them could alter the scene and hinder the investigation.
Think about the following advice before deciding to transfer your car:
Go to the side of the road right away if you can safely do so and the car is safe to drive.
If the car is not working, dial 911 and request that a tow truck be dispatched as well. It usually does not assist to push the car to the side of the road.
Even if you are unable to move your car, make sure you move out of other drivers’ way. On the side of the road, away from traffic, wait for medical assistance.
Wait for the cops to arrive after you have moved out of traffic’s path. The important thing here is to stay at the accident scene until law enforcement has all the evidence.
You can move the cars to a secure area off the road to prevent traffic bottlenecks or more crashes if there are no significant injuries, the cars are safe to drive, and there is no imminent threat.
Conclusion
After the accident, you must check for injuries for yourself and others. You must ensure that the hazard Lights are turned on to alert other drivers. You have to document the accident scene and take as many photographs and videos as possible to provide them as evidence with the Insurance claim or for legal processing. Based on the situation, you can or cannot remove the vehicle from the location. However, you must consult with a car accident lawyer to obtain proper guidance on the course of action.
