Moving your car after an accident is usually not advised unless you have to. After a car accident, there might be insurance claims and legal action. Leaving the crash scene as-is can help police get a clearer picture of what happened. Plus, if there are any injuries, it’s best to remain still to avoid further damage. However, there are a few instances where it’s a good idea to move your car slightly off the road. For example, if your car is creating a hazard for other drivers. Or if the accident is very minor and signs are telling you to move. If you have to move your car, take pictures of the crash site before moving it. Knowing what to do after an accident can help you remain calm at the moment.
Moving Your Car After an Accident: Only When Necessary
Don’t: Injuries
Moving your car after an accident is not a good idea if you suspect that there are any injuries. Especially if there might be injuries to the spine or neck. If you or the other driver are experiencing any sort of pain in those areas, you should try to stay as motionless as possible. Moving could make the injury more serious and could lead to lasting
health concerns. Sit still, call for help, and wait for emergency services to arrive.
Don’t: Serious Accident
Similarly, moving your car after an accident should be avoided if the crash is significant. Anything more than a minor bump-up could lead to significant damage to the car or potential health injuries. To make an insurance claim or to take legal action, it’s important to have clear evidence. Moving the cars could make that more difficult. If you suspect that the accident is serious, keep the scene of the accident as-is.
Do: Safety Concerns
While it’s best to avoid moving your car after an accident, there are some situations where it becomes necessary. For example, if leaving your car where it is creating a hazard for you or other drivers. For example, if you are on a blind curve where you might get hit by traffic. You don’t want to create further damage at the scene. If you are in a dangerous spot or are creating a hazard, move your car slightly off the road so that traffic can proceed by you while you wait for the police.
Do: When Instructed
In some situations, there are signs along the side of the road advising you to move your car after a minor accident. This is often in areas where traffic is very high. Creating a traffic jam not only is a headache to other drivers, but it can also increase the risk of further accidents happening. Usually, if you see signs advising you to move to the side of the road, it’s only for very minor accidents.
Moving your car after an accident is usually not the best course of action. It can be difficult to tell exactly how serious an accident is right away. If you are injured, or if the other driver is, you should stay put until emergency help arrives. Similarly, if the accident is more than a minor bump-up, it’s best to leave things as-is. There are a few situations where it’s best to move your car. For example, if the accident is creating a hazard for other drivers. Or if you are in a high-traffic area with signs explicitly telling you to move minor accidents off to the side. Otherwise, it’s best to leave things as they are so that you don’t risk any further injury or damage, and so police can get an accurate picture of the scene.
